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PHILOSOPHY  OF  THE  SEXES.       •  5  4  4 


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AN  OLD  PRACTITIONER. 


CHICAGO,  ILLS.: 

LAKE  CITY  PUBLISHING  CO., 

1882. 


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Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882, 

By  M.  JEWETT, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


PREFACE. 


TjlOE.  offering  tliis  book  to  the  public  the  publishers 
have  no  apology  to  make.  The  evils  which  it  ex- 
poses, and  of  which  it  treats,  prevail  to  so  alarming  an 
extent,  that  they  in  confidence  point  to  them  as  suffi- 
cient grounds  for  its  publication.  The  subjects  will 
be  readily  recognized  as  of  vital  importance,  concern- 
ing as  they  do,  the  physical  and  moral  welfare  of  the 
human  race  ;  and  no  efforts  should  be  spared  to  arouse 
the  criminal  indifference  that  is  manifested,  and  to 
dispel  the  gross  ignorance  that  exists  regarding  crea- 
tion's most  important  commands. 

The  physical  and  moral  degeneracy  of  our  race, 
arising  from  violations  of  nature's  holiest  laws,  is  no 
mere  outgrowth  of  modern  times.  It  is  rather  the 
culmination  of  ages  of  physical  excesses  and  viola- 
tions, persisted  in  by  men  and  women  ;  and  having 
foundation   in  their   blindness,  indifference,   and  an 

unpardonable  ignorance.     We  find  it  coeval  almost 

(3) 


V 
\ 


SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Preface. 


with  creation  itself,  and  through  successive  ages,  are 
afforded  glimpses  of  its  existence  and  growth,  teem- 
ing with  evidences  of  the  low  estate  into  which  man 
has  fallen — though  endowed  with  God-like  compre- 
hension and  reason. 

Philosophers,  scientists  and  philanthropists,  througli 
all  ages,  have  sounded  notes  of  warning,  and  yet  man- 
kind has  persisted,  and  still  persists  in  its  willful  indul- 
gence, and  gross  ignorance  ;  and  it  seems  to  have 
remained  for  the  present  century — a  century  boasting 
of  its  superior  intelligence,  and  claiming  as  its  espe- 
cial care,  the  physical  and  moral  advancement  of  man 
and  woman — to  oifer  a  chapter  burdened  with  heinous 
and  revoltinoj  crimes  against  nature's  laws,  that  attest 
the  prevalence  of  sexual  excesses  and  transgressions, 
appalling  to  tlie  observer,  and  disgraceful  in  Christian 
nations.  The  evidences  of  these  crimes  are  upon 
every  hand.  We  meet  them  at  every  turn.  The  high- 
way of  life  is  lined  and  strewn  with  wrecks  of  physi- 
cal and  moral  degeneracy.  These  works  are  the  direct 
result  of  a  violation  of  heaven's  leading  laws.  They 
have  their  origin  in  the  Secret  Sins  of  Society — sins 
which  are  indulged  in  willfully  and  ignorantly,  which 
are  blighting  in  their  character,  and  which  if  persisted 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Preface. 


in,  are  followed  bj  destruction  and  utter  ruin.  The 
oLJGct  therefore  of  this  compilation  is  to,  as  clearly 
and  forcibly  as  possible,  delineate  these  transgressions 
which  are  so  prevalent — to  depict  the  evils  which  are 
sure  to  follow  an  indulgence,  and  to  point  out  the 
remedies  that  exist.  In  so  doing  we  liave  relied  upon 
the  experience  and  observations  of  careful  and  noted 
students  of  the  questions  involved — those  who  have 
give  lives  of  thought  to  the  subject.  "We  claim  to  no 
originality  in  matter — save  that  we  have  combined  the 
results  of  well  known  authors  in  a  shape  that  has  been 
long  needed  by  the  general  public.  Though  we  pre- 
sent nothing  new  in  the  way  of  thought  or  discovery, 
we  will  at  least  have  added  line  upon  line,  precept 
upon  precept,  in  a  matter  that  is  deeply  interesting  to 
our  fellow  creatures — for  there  is  no  question  of  such 
vital  importance  to  the  human  race,  as  that  which 
regulates  the  sexual  functions,  and  the  evils  which 
surely  follow  their  violations.  Such  are  the  motives 
that  have  prompted  us  in  our  undertaking,  and  if  in 
its  prosecution  we  shall  have  caused  but  one  man  or 
woman  to  pause  in  terror  from  the  brink  of  physical  and 
moral  degeneracy,  we  shall  not  have  labored  in  vain. 

CuicAGo,  III.,  February,  1882. 


CONTENTS. 


Philosophical  Introduction Pages  17-22 

PART  I. 

EDUCATING  AND  TRAINING  OF  BOYS  AND  YOUNG  MEN. 

The  Importance  of  Rig-ht  Training— Startling-  Facts— Proper  In- 
dulgence—The Bulwark  of  Virtue — The  Mysterious  Instinct — 
Onanists— Parents  Responsible  for  the  Vice— Sexual  Instinct — 
Early  Associations — Positive  Knowledge  the  only  Means  of  De- 
fense—Their Powers  of  Observation— Sleeping  in  the  Same 
Bed— Lust  not  the  only  Passion  Developed— Protest  against 
Boardmg  Schools— A  Word  to  Parents— Proper  Development- 
Lessons  Rightfully  Learned, 23-31 

PART  II. 

EDUCATION   AND   TRAINING    OP  GIRLS  AND  YOUNG  WOMEN. 

Causes  of  Everlasting  Ruin — Hereditary  Vices  in  the  Constitution 
— Natural  Defects  and  their  Remedies — Physical  Improvement 
Demanded — Some  Illustrations — Ignorance  of  Life — An  Illus- 
tration— Health  and  Happiness — Isolation  of  the  Sexes — Love 
of  Dress  in  Girls — A  Horrible  Rivalry — Children's  Parties — The 
Fashionable  World — A  Single  "  Bad  Girl  " — Novel  Reading — 
Voluptuous  Education — The  Genteel  Way  of  Legalizing  Im- 
proper Relations — Improprieties  accorded  Acknowledged  Lov- 
ers— Suggestive  Scenes — Matrimonial  Prospects — scandalous 
Flirtations — Degrees  of  Libertinism — Where  the  Danger  Lies 
— Be  on  your  Guard — ^The    Latest  Proposition — Nobleness  of 

Character — Passionate  Nature, 35-50 

(7) 


SECRET   SIKS   OF   SOCIETY. 


Contents. 


PART  III. 

MALE  SELF-ABUSE. 

The  Most  Fatal  of  Vices— "  Wise  Woman  "—Tlieir  Plan— Sad 
Case  of  a  Child  of  Five  Years — Other  Cases — Terrible  Case — 
Combination  of  Miseries — Tenible  Case,  continued — Extinction 
of  Memory — Loathsome  Condition  of  Body  and  Mind — A  Pic- 
ture— The  Wretched  Victims — Physical  Symptoms  of  the  Mas- 
turbator — Moral  Degradation  even  Worse — Terrible  Picture 
Drawn — Different  Degrees  of  Punishment — Indulge  only  in 
Wedlock,    ..........       61-63 

PART  TV. 

FEMALE   SELF-ABUSE. 

Female  Masturbation  the  Demon  of  Evil — The  Shame  of  Discov- 
ery— Vice  Detected — Origin  of  many  Female  Diseases — Mental 
and  Moral  Symptoms — Solitary  Habits  should  Awaken  Suspi- 
cion— Different  Cases — Virgin  Pm-ity,        ,        ,        .        64^69 

PART  Y. 

THE  SOLITAKY  VICE — SEXUAL  POVERTY. 

Sexuality  of  Animals — Female  Forms — ^Male  Farms — Sexual  Ail- 
ments— Its  Demoralizing  Evils — The  Wasting  of  Vitality — Sem- 
inal Losses — ^The  Causes  of  Insanity — It  Destroys  the  Matrimo- 
nial Sentiment — The  Transmitting  Period — Need  of  Timely 
Knowledge — Sacred  Duty  of  Parents — Drain  of  Vital  Forces — 
Cause  of  Nervous  Ailments — Indulgence  is  utter  Ruin — The 
Pledge  of  Chastity — When  and  How  should  Youth  Learn  Sex- 
ual Truths — Teacher's  ResponsibiUty — Parents  should  impart 
Sexual  Law  to  their  Children — Sexual  Education  of  Girls — Du- 
ty of  Right-minded  People — Efforts  to  Save  the  SexuaUy  Fall- 
en,             70-84 

PART  YI. 

GENEllATION. 

What  Mankind  Require — Function  of  the  Animal  Economy — Fe- 
male Organs  Described — Principal  Seat  of  Pleasure — ^Menstrual 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 


Contents. 


Fluid — Imperfect  Human  Uterus — Where  Situated — Fallopian 
Tubes — The  Ovaries — Menstruation — Amount  of  Discharge — 
Avoiding  Exposures — Menstrual  Discharge — The  Male  in  Con- 
ception— Secretion  of  the  Semen — Reproduction  of  Male  and 
Female — A  Case  of  Twins — Impregnation  v/hiLe  the  Hymen 
Remains  Entire — Tenacity  of  Male  Semen — Animals  at  the 
Period  After  Coition — Harmonizing  Facts  Relating  to  Concep- 
tion— Female  Seminal  Fluid — Female  Secretion  in  the  Act  of 
Coition — Particles  Derived  From  Each  of  the  Parents — Ru- 
diments of  the  I'oetus — The  Living  Fluid — Observations  of 
Haller  and  SpaUanzani — Pre-Existing  GeiTus — Manner  of  Im- 
pregnation— Seminal  Animalcule — Number  of  Animalcule  in 
the  Human  Semen — The  Doctrine  of  Sympathy — An  Instance 
of  Superfoetation — A  Singular  Case  of  Twins — The  Uterus — Cir- 
cumstances Under  Which  a  Female  is  Most  Likely  to  Conceive 
■ — An  Exceptional  Case — The  Term  of  Utero — Gestation — No 
Certain  Sign  to  Tell  When  Conception  Has  Taken  Place — 
Peculiar  Sensation  of  Some  Women — Suppression  of  the  Mensus 
Not  a  Sure  Sign — Established  Facts  With  Animals — Irregular- 
ities of  Women — The  Removal  of  Sterility — Arousing  the  Gen- 
ital Organs — Time  Women  are  Most  Likely  to  Conceive — The 
Root  of  Domestic  Happiness — Remedies  for  Impotency 
.        85-139 


PAET  VII. 

THE  EEPRODUCTIVE  INSTISTCT. 

Controlled  by  Reason — Evil  Consequences — Gratification  of  the 
Senses — Ignorance  of  Young  Married  People — Temperance  in 
all  Things — Loss  of  Semen — Effects  upon  the  System — Unnatu- 
ral Habits,        140-148 

PAET  YIII. 

ADAPTATIONS  OF  THE  SEXES. 

Similarity  of  the  Functions — Sex  a  Division  of  Nature's  Forces — 
Man's  Power  over  the  Foetus — Wrong  and  Right  Conditions 
of  Parents — Man  and  Woman's  Desire — Physical  and  Moral 
Monsters — Sentiments  Established  during  Pregnancy — Truths 
of  Nature 149-156 


10  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Contents. 

PAET  IX. 

PHYSIOLOGY  OF  MARRIAGE. 

Desires  of  the  Newly  Married — Woman's  Special  Magnetism- 
Sexual  Influences — Action  of  Love  Power  Beyond  our  Control— 
The  Promptings  of  Nature's  Forces— Perfect  Conjugal  Life — 
Every  Requirement  of  Love  Fulfilled  in  Marriage,    .    157-163 

PAET  X. 

CO-HABITING    ERRORS  —  EMBARRASSMENTS  —  UNDUE    HASTE  — 
MARITAL  EXCESSES,  ETC. 

rhe  Relation  of  Man  and  Woman  on  their  Wedding  Night — 
Shrinking  Timidity — Ungovernable  Boldness — Secret  of  the 
Fall  of  Mairied  Women — Nuptial  Chamber — Advice  to  the 
Husband — Advice  to  the  Newly  Married — How  Often  May  the 
Conjugal  Act  be  Repeated — Both  Sides  Require  Moderation — 
A  Sample  Case — Woman  Ought  to  Control  Her  Own  Body — 
Legal  Excuse  to  Destroy  Each  Other — Importance  of  Sexual 
Science  —  Mankind's  Unfamiliaiity  of  the  Formation  of  the 
Human  Race  —  Sexual  Frenzy — Examples  of  Animals  —  The 
Enhancement  of  Drapery, 164-176 

PAET  XI. 

DIVORCES  AND  FAMILY  DISCORDS. 

Its  Effect  on  the  Sacred  Interests  of  Society — Divorce  Reform  called 
for — Its  Complications — What  good  Men  and  pure  Women  de- 
mand— Rights  of  Children — Tlie  most  Prolific  Cause — Degra- 
dation of  Social  Powers — The  Abuse  of  the  Maternal  Instinct — 
Disappointments  in  Married  Life — Perplexities  of  the  Married 
— Conditions  that  cannot  be  Harmonized — Before  Marriage — 
After  Marriage — Marriage  Fidelity — Infidelity — Abuse  of  each 
other — Illustrative  Cases — Right  Course  to  Pursue,   .    177-191 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  11 


Contents. 

PART  XII. 

rNPANTCrOE  AND   ABORTION. 

A  Revolting  Practice — A  Revolting  Confession — The  only  Life 
Preventation — Several  Illustrative  Cases — ^Three  Hundred  Abor- 
tions by  an  M.  D. — The  Prediction  of  Scientists — Legitimate 
Aid  of  Science — The  most  Terrible  of  Crimes — Justifiable  In- 
fantcide — Worse  than  Pagans — Its  Humiliating  Tendency — 
The  effects  of  Toxics— Several  Cases,        .        .        .      192-202 

PAET  XIII. 

PRKVENTING  CONCEPTION. 

The  Different  Methods— The  Upper  Tendom— Conjugal  Onanism 
— Its  effects — Onanism  vis  Masturbation — Condoms  do  not 
Lessen  the  Evil— The  only  Lawful  Methods— Partial  With- 
drawals— Its  evil  Effect— The  old  Notion  of  Conception— More 
Methods  to  Cheat  Natm-e,        .         .        .         Pages  20^-209 . 

PAET  XIY. 

■woman's  RIGHTFUIj    CONTKOI,    over  the    GENERATIVB     FUNC- 
TION. 

The  Masculine  Law— Its  Power — The  Feminine  Law — Its  Power — 
Sexual  Desire  Always  Together— An  Unsexed  Woman— The 
Sexual  Passion— Why  Young  Girls  are  Seduced— Who  seek 
the  Assignation  House — Men  and  Women  lose  their  Sense  of 
Right^An  Adulterous  Husband— Results  of  Nervous  Debility 
— Man's  Responsibility  for  Illegitimate  Children — Sorrows  of 
Woman  in  Conception,        ....         Pages  210-220 

PART  XV. 

SPECIAL  HINTS  ABOUT  OUR  SEXUAL  RELATIONS. 

Ante-nuptial  Relations— Causes  of  Uterine  Trouble— Honey-moon 
Journey— Shameful  Manners  in  Wedlock— His  Keen  Sense  of 
Self-abasement— No  Self  Control— What  Provokes  the  Desure 
—The  111  Effects  of  Such  Practices— Husband  Should  Practice 
Self-control, 221-228 


12  SECRET    SINS    LF    SOCIETY. 


Contents. 

.  PART  XYI. 

PROSTITUTION. 

Its  Prevalence — Brazen  Effrontery — Its  Origin  and  Cause — How- 
Fastened — Woman  Vends  her  Body — Man  the  ready  Buyer — 
The  Inevitable  Consequence — A  Blunted  Mind— The  Result  of 
the  Ten-ible  Scourge, 229-233 

PAET  XYII. 

The  Causes  op  Prostitution. 

The  Demand  and  Supply — How  Regulated — Strong  Desire  for  Sex. 
ual  Intercourse  by  the  Male — The  Force  of  Sexual  Desire — The 
Standard  of  Human  Perfection — The  Two  Caseb — Mutual  and 
One-sided  Enjoyment — How  the  Mind  and  Body  become  De- 
moralized— The  Demands  for  Prostitution — The  Artificial 
State  of  Societj' — A  woman  with  Half  the  Woman  Gone — Ss^xu- 
ally  Strong  in  Proportion  as  it  is  Encouraged — Causes  that  Lead 
the  Mind  to  Form  a  Degraded  Estimate  of  the  Sex— The  Faults 
of  Society — Preventing  Early  Marriages —  AVhat  Society  Allows 
— Worldly  Difficulties — The  Tyranny  of  Society,  and  the  Re- 
sults— The  Conditions  that  Providence  h  as  Ordained — Profli- 
gacy of  the  Female — Ultimate  Resistance  Almost  Impossible — 
The  Results  of  Promiscuous  Herding  of  the  Sexes — Scheming 
and  Lustful  Men, 234-251 

PART  XVIII. 

THE  ORIGIN  OP  STPHrLIS. 

The  Different  Suppositions — Was  it  of  American  Origin — Horrible 
Accusation — Its  Appearance  in  the  Fifteenth  Century — The 
Disease  Known  from  the  Remotest  Antiquity — Regulated 
Houses  of  Pleasure — Terrible  Contagion — 30,000  Families  De- 
stroyed— Spreading  of  the  Disease  all  over  Europe — People 
Living  in  the  Most  Disgusting  Filth — The  Virus  Caixied  in  the 
Atmosphere,        .         .         .         •         ...        252-261 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY,  13 

Contents. 

PAKT  XIX. 

SUPPEESSION  OF  SYPHILIS. 

Life's  Great  Destroyer — The  rJreat  Need  of  Restraint — ^Venereal 
Contagion — Restricting  all  Participants — Our  Future  Needs — 
Posterity  the  Ones  that  Suffer — No  Taking  Chances — Ordi- 
nances of  St.  Louis — Registering  Participants  in  the  Social 
Evil — ^The  Per  Cent.  Suffering  from  Contagious  Diseases — Ex- 
traordinary Number  of  Syphilic  Cases — Corroborative  Facts 
Presented — Secondary  Outbreaks  of  the  Disease — Compared 
■with  other  Contagious  Diseases — How  the  Sj^philitic  may  Pass 
for  a  Gentleman — Its  Immediate  Victims  not  the  only  Suffer- 
ers— No  Class  of  Society  is  Exempt — The  Unfortunate  of  the 
Social  World — A  Period  of  Physical  Deterioration — Leading 
Features  of  Syphilis — Various  Cures — No  Time  that  we  are 
Safe — Relapse  Lialjle  to  Occur  at  any  Time — Its  Dangers — Le- 
gal Restrictions — Houses  of  Prostitution — Regulating  the  In- 
mates— The  Demands  of  Public  Opinion — A  Sample  Case — 
Restricting  Syphilitic  People — A  Double  Check  on  Venere  a 
Diseases, 262-285 

PAET  XX. 

SPEKMATOERRHOHA. 

The    Consequences  of   Masturbation — Nocturnal  Emissions — ^No 

Sign  of  the  Disease — How  the  Genital  Organs  will  Recover, 

286-288 

PART  XXI. 

GONORRHCEA. 

Origin  of  the  Disease — Who  are  Liable — "^Vhat  Gonorrhoea  Causes 
in  the  Female — Cases  Occasioned  by  Impure  Coitus — Woman 
frequently  Give  Gonorrhoea  without  Having  it,     .     .    289-292 

PART  XXII. 

THE  NATURAL  TIME  FOR  MARRIAGE. 

Effect  of  Former  Bad  Habits — Differences  of  Ages — Conjugal  Per- 
fections— Intercourse  Before  Marriage — No  Substitute  for  Mar- 


14  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 


Contents. 

riage  —  Matrimonial    Excursion — Deferred    Marriages  —  Be 
Guided  by  Judgment.  Instead  of  Passion,        ,        ,        293-299 

PAKT  XXIII. 

WHO  ARE  ADAPTED  TO  EACH  OTHER  AND  "WHO  ARE  NOT. 

Importance  of  Conjugal  Fitness — Disabilities  That  are  a  Burden 
to  the  Husband — Muscular  Strength  and  Female  Beauty — In- 
door Clerks  and  Puny  Dandies — Marriage  of  Cousins — What 
One  Woman  Likes  Another  Dislikes — Tenderness  of  Woman- 
hood— Blighted  Lives  for  Want  of  Companionship — Attraction 
of  Delicacy  and  Coarseness — Little  Polks  and  Their  Prospects — 
Marrying  of  Opposites — Products  of  Such  Marriages — What 
Characteristics  Should  and  Should  Not  Marry — Masculine 
Woman, 300-313 

PART  XXIY. 

THE  KIND   OF  WOMEN  THAT  MEN  ADMIRE. 

What  is  Most  Admired  of  God's  Creation — Women  the  Best  Ex- 
ponents of  the  Beautiful — What  is  the  Most  Beautiful  to  Man 
— How  Man  is  Enamored — What  Gives  Power  of  Attraction  to 
the  Female — Why  Harlots  Hold  Men  Spell-bound — Why  Wo- 
man Yields  Less  Readily  than  Man — Want  of  Adaptation 
Characteristic  of  Society — Why  Men  Admire  Mental  Traits  in 
Women — Highest  Type  of  Physical  Qualities,       ,        314-323 

PAET  XXY. 

THE  KIND  OF  MEN  WOMEN  ADMIRE. 

Woman's  Admiration  for  Manliness — Men  that  Attract  Woman — 
Henpecked  Men — What  Kind  of  Men  Women  Despise — Manly 
Traits  that  Women  Admire — Homely  Men — Their  Advantage 
— Desirable  Qualities — Honesty  and  Dignity — Extraordinary 
Cases— Ideal  Standard, 324-331 


SECKET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  15 


Contents. 

PAKT  XXYI. 

THE  FASCINATING  QUALITIES  OF  MEN  AND   WOMEN. 

Captivating  QuaHties  of  Manliness — The  Elements  of  Manhood 
and  Womanhood — Undesirable  Qualities  in  Woman — The 
Power  of  Woman  in  the  Social  Circle — Man's  Peculiarities — 
How  to  Keep  a  Husband — His  Delusion — Attraction  of  the 
Sexes — When  Man  Ought  to  be  Happy — The  Dignified  Plan 
—Act  Manly  and  Womanly,         ....        332-340 

PART  XXYII. 

INCONSISTENCIES  OF  MEN  AND  WOMEN. 

Woman's  Fickleness — ^The  Charge  of  Inconsistency — Man's  Own 
Work — Man's  Ingenuousness — Hiding  his  Wrong  Doing — His 
Promiscuous  Gallantries — Woman  Dies  for  Love — Absorbed  by 
one  Passion — Woman  Blinded  with  Love — He  Loves  to  be 
Loved — She  Loves  to  Love — Not  Trusted  too  Far,    .     841-348 

PART  XXXYIII. 

^         HINTS  TO  WOMEN. 

Keeping  np  Appearances — ^How  Ambitious  Mothers  Break  Down 
— The  Banishment  of  the  Corset — Causes  of  Pale  and  Flat- 
chested  Women — Concealing  a  Lack  of  Needful  Organs — Physi- 
cal Education  of  our  Daughters — Esercise  during  Monthly 
Sickness — Literature  that  Inflames  the  Passions.     .     349-355 

PART  XXIX. 

woman's  FOLLIES. 

A  Fashionable  Woman's  Habits — Her  Peculiar  Case — Physical 
Effects  of  such  a  Life — Her  Pastime  and  Neglect  of  Family — 
Infirmities  She  Attempts  to  Conceal — A  Life  of  Nothingness — 
Her  Heartlessness  and  Self-indulgence.         ,       .       356-363 


16  SECKET   SIKS   OF   SOCIETY. 


Contents. 

PART  XXX. 

MAGNETISir  OP  MEN   AND  WOMEN. 

Women  as  Ma^ets — Circle  of  Human  Magnetism — Woman  fur- 
nishing the  Weapons  to  Betray  her — When  Men  are  Dehghted 
— Woman  Measured  by  Convenience — Man's  Imaginary  Being 
— The  Changeableness  of  Magnetic  Women — Her  Sensibility — 
Appearances  do  not  Stir  Her — The  Advantage  of  Magnetism  to 
Charm  of  Person  and  Manner — When  Man  ceases  to  be  Hu- 
man— An  Illustration  of  Disappointed  Love — In  the  Relation 
of  the  Sexes — Woman  the  Secret  AUy  of  Man — Why  Magnetic 
Women  enters  Hyman's  Temple  Early — Unfavorable  Atmos- 
phere for  Wedlock — The  Humiliation  of  a  Fascinated  Man — 
His  loss  of  Manhood — The  Abject  Idolator — Every  Woman  has 
her  Master — Eveiy  Man  his  Mistress — When  Women  prefer 
Principles  to  Persons — Fools,  and  Victims  of  Magnetic  Women 
—The  True  Magnetic  Woman,       ....        364^381 

PART  XXXI. 

OUR  SOCIAL  RELATIONS. 

The  Deplorable  State  of  Society — The  Power  of  Young  Women — 
The  Legacy  of  a  Depraved  Organization — ^The  Diseased  State 
of  Society — Woman's  Sensitiveness  to  External  Influence — What 
Women  Demand  from  Men — Man's  Fancy — Woman  Under- 
stands it — Association  of  Lust  and  Fancies — Vices  of  Men  and 
Dress  of  Women  Compared — Woman's  Condition  in  Society — 
Man  and  Woman  Should  Understand  Sexual  Law— Labor  Not 
Demanded  of  Women — Price  Paid  for  Woman's  Shame — Wo- 
man's Alternative — When  Woman  is  Compelled  to  Unsex  Her- 
self,                 382-394 

PART  XXXII. 

MODERN  MARRIAGE. 

Laws  and  Customs — Average  Life  of  the  Married  and  Unmarried 
— The  Advantages  of  Re-marrying — Social  Restraints — Pecu- 
liarities of  the  French  System  of  Marriage — Favorable  Condi- 
tions for  Marriage  in  the  United  States,         ,        ',        395-400 


PHILOSOPHICAL  mTRODDCTION. 


pONSCIOUSNESS  is  not  a  "  principle"  or  substance 
of  any  kind,  nor  is  it,  strictly  speaking,  a  property 
of  any  substance  or  being.  It  is  a  peculiar  action  of  tlie 
nervous  system,  and  the  system  is  said  to  be  sensible, 
or  to  possess  the  property  of  sensibility,  because  those 
sentient  actions  which  constitute  our  different  concious- 
nesses  may  be  excited  in  it.  The  nervous  system  in- 
cludes not  only  the  brain  and  spinal  marrow,  but  numer- 
ous soft  wliite  cords,  called  nerves,  which  extend  from 
the  brain  and  spinal  marrow  to  ev^ry  part  of  the  body 
in  which  a  sensation  can  be  excited. 

A  sensation  is  a  sentient  action  of  a  nerve  and  tlie 
brain;  a.  thought,  or  idea  (both  the  same  thing)  is  a 
sentient  action  of  the  brain  alone.  A  sensation  or  a 
thought  is  consciousness,  and  there  is  no  consciousness 
but  that  which  consists  either  in  a  sensation  or  a 
thought. 

Agreeable  conciousness  constitutes  what   we    call 
2  (17) 


IS  SKCKi'rr  sixs  of  fociety. 

Philosophical  Introduction. 

happiness,  and  disagreeable  consciousness  constitutes 
misery.  As  sensations  are  a  higher  degree  of  con- 
sciousness than  mere  thought,  it  follows  that  agreeable 
sensations  constitute  a  more  exquisite  happiness  than 
agreeable  thoughts.  That  portion  of  happiness  which 
consists  in  agreeable  sensations  is  commonly  called 
pleasure.  !No  thoughts  are  agreeable  except  those 
which  were  originally  excited  by  or  have  been  asso- 
ciated with  agreeable  sensations.  Hence,  if  a  person 
never  had  experienced  any  agreeable  sensation,  he 
could  have  no  agreeable  thoughts,  and  would  of  course 
be  an  entire  stranger  to  happiness. 

There  are  five  species  of  sensation, — seeing,  hearing, 
smellinir,  tasting  and  feeling.  There  are  manv  varie- 
ties  of  feeling — as  the  feelings  of  hunger,  thirst,  cold,' 
hardness,  etc.  Miftiy  of  these  feelings  are  excited  by 
agents  that  act  upon  the  exterior  of  the  body,  such  as 
solid  substancesof  every  kind,  heat,  and  various  chem- 
ical irritants.    These  latter  feelings  are  Q,?i\\edi passions. 

Those  passions  which  owe  their  existence  chiefly  to 
the  state  of  the  brain,  or  to  causes  acting  directly  upon 
the  brain,  are  called  the  moral  passions.  They  are 
grief,  anger,  love,  etc.  They  consist  of  sentient  ac- 
tions, which  commence  in  the  brain  and  extend  to  the 


SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  19 

■ 1 

Philosophical  Introduction. 

nerves  in  the  region  of  the  stomach,  lieart,  etc.  Bnt 
when  the  cause  of  the  internal  feeling  or  passion  is 
seated  in  some  organ  remote  from  the  brain,  as  in  the 
stomach,  genital  organs,  etc.,  the  sentient  action  which 
constitutes  the  passion  commences  in  tlie  nerves  of 
such  organ  and  extends  to  the  brain,  and  the  passion 
is  called  an  appetite^  instinct  or  desire.  Some  of  these 
passions  are  natural,  as  hunger,  thirst,  the  reproduct- 
ive instinct,  the  desire  to  urinate,  etc.  Others  are 
gradually  acquired  bv  hfibit.  A  hankering  for 
stimulants,  as  sj)irits,  opium,  and  tobacco,  is  one  of 
these. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  things  that  our  most  vivid  and 
agreeable  sensations  cannot  be  excited  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, nor  beyond  a  certain  extent  under  any 
circumstance,  without  giving  rise  in  one  way  or 
another  to  an  amount  of  disagreeable  consciousness  or 
misery,  exceeding  the  amount  of  agreeable  conscious- 
ness which  attends  such  ill-timed  or  excessive  gratifi- 
cation. To  excite  agreeable  sensations  to  a  degree  not 
exceeding  this  certain  extent  is  temperance  ;  to  excite 
them  beyond  this  extent  is  intemperance  ;(jiot  to  ex- 
cite them  at  all  is  mortification  or  abstinence^  This 
certain  extent  varies  with  different  individuals,  accord- 


20  SECEET    SIXS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Philosophical  Introduction. 

ing  to  their  several  circumstances,  so  that  what  wonlJ 
be  temperauce  in  one  person  may  be  intemperance  in 
another.     "* 

To  be  free  Irom  disagreeable  consciousness  is  to  be 
in  a  state  which,  compared  with  a  state  of  misery,  is  a 
happy  state  i  yet  absolute  happiness  does  not  exist  in 
the  absence  of  misery  ;  if  it  do,  rocks  are  happy .^  It 
consists,  as  aforesaid,  in  agreeable  consciousness.  Tliat 
which  enables  a  person  to  excite  or  maintain  agreea- 
ble consciousness  is  not  happiness  ;  but  the  idea  of 
having  such  in  one's  possession  is  agreeable,  and  of 
course  is  a  portion  of  happiness.\  Health  and  wealth 
go  far  in  enabling  a  person  to  excite  and  maintain 
agreeable  consciousness. \. 

That  which  gives  rise  to  agreeable  consciousness  is 
good,)  and  we  desire  it.  If  we  use  it  intemperat ely, 
such  use  is  bad,  and  the  thing  itself  is  still  good.  Those 
acts  (and  intentions  are  acts  of  that  part  of  man  which 
intends)  of  human  beings  which  tend  to  the  promotion 
of  happiness  are  good  ;  but  they  are  also  called  virtu- 
ous, to  distinguish  them  from  other  things  of  the 
same  tendency.  There  is  nothing  for  the  word  virtue 
to  signify  but  virtuous  actions.  Sin  signifies  nothing 
but  sinful  actions,  and  sinful,  wicked,  or  vicious,  or 


SECRET   SIIS'S   OF    SOCIETY.  21 

Philosophical  Introduction. 

bad  actions  are  those  wliich  are  productive  of  more 
misery  than  happiness. 

When  an  individual  gratifies  any  of  his  instincts  in 
a  temperate  degree,  he  adds  an  item  to  the  sum  total 
•of  human  happiness,  and  causes  the  amount  of  human 
happiness  to  exceed  tlie  amount  of  misery  farther  than 
if  he  had  not  enjoyed  himself,  therefore  it  is  virtuous, 
or,  to  say  the  least,  it  is  not  vicious  or  sinful  for  him 
to  do  so.  i  But  it  must  ever  be  remembered  that  this 
temperate  degree  depends  on  circumstances  ;^hat  one 
person's  health,  pecuniary  circumstances,  or  social  re- 
lation may  be  such  that  it  would  cause  more  misery 
than  happiness  for  him  to  do  an  act  which  being  done 
by  a  person  under  different  circumstances  would  cause 
more  happiness  than  misery.  <  Therefore  it  would  be 
right  for  the  latter  to  perform  such  act,  but  not  for 
the  former. 

Again  :  owing  to  his  ignorance,  a  man  may  not  be  ^ 
able  to  gratify  a  desire  without  causing  misery  (where-  * 
fore  it  would  be  wrong  for  him  to  do  it),  but  with 
knowledge  of  means  to  prevent  this  misery,  he  may  so 
gratify  it  that  more  pleasure  than  pain  will  be  the  re- 
sult of  the  act,  in  which  case  the  act,  to  say  the  least, 
is  justifiable.     Now,  therefore,  it  is  virtuous,  nay,  it  is 


22  SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

PliiJosophical  Introduction. 

the  duty^  for  him  who  has  knowledge  of  such  means, 
to  convey  it  to  those  who  have  it  not,  for  by  so  doing 
he  furthers  the  cause  of  human  happiness. 

Man,  by  nature,  is  endowed  with  the  talent  of  devis- 
ing means  to  remedy  or  prevent  the  evils  that  are  lia* 
])le  to  arise  from  gratifying  our  appetites  ;  and  it  is  as 
much  the  duty  of  the  physician  to  inform  mankind  of 
the  means  to  prevent  the  evils  that  are  liable  to  arise 
from  gratifying  the  productive  instinct,  as  it  is  to  in- 
form them  how  to  keep  clear  of  the  gout  or  dyspepsia. 
*1  Let  not  the  old  ascetic  say  we  onght  not  to  gratify  our 
j^ijK.^^  f    appetites  any  further  than  is  necessary  to  maintain 

health  and  to  perpetuate  the  species.  Mankind  will 
not  so  abstain,  and  if  means  to  prevent  the  evils  that 
may  arise  from  farther  gratification  can  be  devised,  they 
need  not.  Heaven  has  not  only  given  us  the  capacity 
of  greater  enjoyment,  but  the  talent  of  devising  means 
to  prevent  the  evils  that  are  liable  to  arise  therefrom, 
and  it  becomes  us,  "  with  thanksgiving,"  to  make  the 
most  of  them. 


SECRET  SINS  OF  SOCIETY. 


PAET   I. 

EDUCATION  ANDTrwVININGOF  BOYS  AND  YOUNG  MEN. 

npO  the  boys  of  the  present  generation  we  must  look 

for  the  future  of  our  nation ;  and  if  the  training  of 

our  boys  be  bad,  so  will  the  mental  and  moral  condition 

of  our  country  be.  I  A  few  good  and  pure  Christian 

men  and  women  can  neither  enact  nor  enforce  good 

laws  if  the  mass  of  the  populace  be  low  and   vile,  and 

brutal   in    their   tastes  and  desires.  \  ^Neither  can   a 

populace  of  mental  imbeciles  be  depended  on  to  carry 

on  the  reforms  and  plans  of  progress  devised  and  set 

in  motion  by  the  master  minds  of  the  recent  past.'^j 

IIow  important,  then,  that  the  training  of  the  young 

of  the  present  be  of  that  nature  that  shall  keep  the 

body   strong   and  vigorous  and  the  mind  pure   and 

virtuous. 

•       (23) 


24:  SECKET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Importance  of  Right  Training— Startling  Facts. 

Those  habits  which  impair  the  life  of  youth,  will 
crop  out  in  the  form  of  imbecility  of  mind  and  body 
in  old  age.  Thus  impaired,  the  strength  and  vigor  of 
manhood  can  never  be  regained,  and  existence  in  this 
stage  must  therefore  become  less  tolerable. 

It  is  the  fault  of  the  present  system  of  education 
that  the  young  of  our  land  are  improperly  trained, 
and  in  some  vitally  important  matters  receive  no  in- 
struction at  all.  Boys  and  girls,  possessed  of  various 
faculties,  corresponding  to  and  representative  of  cer- 
tain wants,  are  sent  to  school  only  to  be  partially  and, 
indifferently  educated.  Besides  a  certain  amount  of 
drilling  of  their  intellectual  faculties,  little  else  is 
done  for  them.  \  Their  moral  and  spiritual  natures  are 
left  to  starve,  or  to  become  the  play-grounds  of  blind 
passion  and  riotous  living,! 

X  The  absence  of  moral  training  in  our  schools,  and 
the  indiscriminate  mixing  of  the  sexes,  has  not  proven 
the  best  way  to  develop  refinement  and  personal  ex- 
cellence. >Too  free  intermingling  of  boys  and  girls  at 
school  are  followed  by  results  unfavorable  to  modesty 
and  decent  reserve,  which  is  the  basis  of  virtue.  It  is 
not  the  special  aim  of  this  book  to  overturn  tlie  pres- 
ent plan  of  education,  but  to  show  that  the  naturui 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIE'lT.  2o 

Proper  Indulgence  the  Bulwark  oi  Virtue. 

exercise  of  the  several  faculties  in  man  is  consistent 
with  jSTature's  divine  order.  )/All  faculties  of  mind  and 
functions  of  body  may  and  should  be  properly  em- 
])loyed  and  indulged  for  tlie  attainment  of  the  largest 
measure  of  enjoyment  and  happiness.  ji|^Facnltie3  and 
powers  rightly  exerted  impart  health,  strength  and  in- 
terest to  life.  Vxhe  larger  the  ratio  of  development — 
the  greater  number  of  faculties  schooled — the  larger 
the  capacity  to  accomplish  good,  to  enjoy  and  dignify 
life  and  human  nature,  y The  righteous  use  of  God- 
given  powers  is  man's  only  hope  of  safety  and  peace. 
The  fact  that  some  faculties  are  educated  and 
trained  while  others  are  not,  or  imperfectly  so,  is  plain 
to  be  seen  in  the  present  condition  of  society — nota- 
bly the  sexual  instinct,  which  in  many  cases  is  pervert- 
ed to  a  degree  ruinous  to  manhood.  Strongly  plant- 
ed in  human  nature  by  the  Infinite,  this  instinct 
should  be  indulged  always  under  proper  restraints  and 
conditions. \  In  many  young  persons,  as  well  as  old, 
it  predominates,  and  becomes  an  ungovernable  pas- 
sion. \The  boys  of  the  present  time,  as  early  as  six- 
teen years — in  some  cases  earlier — are  alive  to  this 
instinct,  whereas  they  should  not  more  than  feel  its 
presence  at  their  maturity.     "What  shall  be  thought 


26  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Mysterious  Instinct. 

of  boys  of  twelve  to  thirteen  years  who  vaunt  of  the 
signs  of  coming  virility?  All  along  through  years  ot 
schooling  and  boyhood,  the  plays  of  tricks,  flirtations 
and  stolen  intimacies  are  kept  up,  bad  stories  are  told 
and  listened  to,  gossipy  papers  and  trash  literature 
are  read.  The  twelve-year-old  "  hopeful "  reaches  the 
mark  of  the  libertine  ere  he  arrives  at  his  fifteenth 
year.  The  state  of  school  children  generally  is  rather 
alarming.  The  morals  of  the  young  are  in  jeopardy, 
and  expert  medical  men  will  not  disagree  as  to  their 
present  weak  physical  condition. \ 

In  the  social  body,  an  unbalanced,  unevenly  educa- 
ted and  thoughtless  person,  is  a  dangerous  element. 
Where  there  are  many  such  persons,  tlie  social  body 
must  be  unfavorably  affected.  As  the  years  pass  it  is 
becoming  more  corrupt.  To-day  we  find  the  social 
state  to  be  precarious.  |  Unenlightened  selfishness  and 
uuguided  instinct  ma,y  be  set  down  as  the  worst  of  all 
elements  the  pliilosophies  of  the  world  have  ever  grap- 
pled with.  II  The  dissipations  and  practices  of  youth 
are  passed  by  unobserved  by  parents  and  guardians. 

Instances  of  detection  are  rare,  so  negligent  are 
they  whose  duty  it  is  to  guard  their  children's  welfare. 
Roues  among   boys  rather  than  onanism,  prevails  in 


SECRET    SI^'S    OF    SOCIETY.  27 

Onanists— Parents  Responsible  for  the  Vice. 

greatlv   increased  ratio.      Abhorred  as  is  the   hitter 
form  of  vice,  it  has  sufficient  art  to  keep  out  of  sii^lit, 
while  the  other  reveals  itself  on  all  occasions. 
\  The  one  involves  ruin  of  body  and  mindAthe  other 
waits  on  appetite  that  he  may  live  for  mischief. 

l^otwithstanding  onanism  is  a  secret  vice,  it  depend- 
ed upon  association  for  its  origin.  The  stupid  reti- 
cence of  parents  and  guardians  has  been  the  occasion 
of  great  injury  to  boys,  who  should  have  been  shield- 
ed from  liability  of  falling  into  libidinous  habits  by 
unrestrained  intercourse  with  each  other.  It  is  a  mis- 
take to  presume  that  boys  are  unmindful  of  such 
things,  and  will  not  think  of  and  talk  them  over  among 
themselves.  They  are  permitted  to  run  at  large  and 
take  on  the  dirt  and  smut  from  the  grovelling  and  slimy. 
And  so  it  happens  tliat  boys  deserving  of  a  better  fate 
are  lost  to  society  as  worthy  of  its  confidence  and 
sympathy.  That  which  may  be  thought  a  mere 
freak  of  animalism  in  a  boy,  to  be  outgrown  as  he 
g-rows  in  vears,  often  extends  to  advanced  ao;e. 
The  testimony  of  physicians,  who  have  closely  watched 
the  victims  of  onanism,  goes  to  show  that  compara- 
tively few  are  free  from  its  effects.  The  streets  and 
houses  of  worship  are  alive  with   the  victims  of  this 


28  SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETr. 

Sexual  Instinct— Early  Associations. 

leprosy,  and  the  social  body  has  caught  the  infection. 
School  arrangements  should  be  such  as  to  throw  every 
possible  safeguard  around  the  scholars  while  under  the 
rule  of  teachers.  Those  entrusted  with  the  bringii.g 
up  of  children  should  instruct  and  control  so  that  this 
habit,  with  its  train  of  evils,  may  be  banished.  In 
cases  not  susceptible  to  parental  instruction  or  author- 
ity, the  family  physician  may  have  iuflnence  and  com- 
mand attention  to  some  purpose.  \  "When  the  youth 
of  the  land  fail  to  hearken  to  the  voice  of  their  par- 
ents and  special  friends,  then  they  should  be  passed  to 
the  physician  or  general  friend,  who  may  further  en- 
lighten them  as  to  their  duty.  \ 

y  The  associations  of  boys  will  bear  close  watching./ 
The  average  boy  is  not  above  learning  obnoxious 
things.  He  is  an  apt  scholar.  /He  is  always  ready 
to  receive  a  lesson  in  immorality  from  any  one  mean 
enough  to  give  it  to  him.,'  A  careless  servant  or  hired 
man  might,  in  the  absence  of  parents  or  guardians, 
let  him  into  a  knowledge  of  vices  hitherto  unknown, 
/and  in  a  little  time  the  lower  would  be  at  serious 
enmity  with  the  higher  nature./' 

The  danger  of  onanism  among  boys  is  increased  by 
visiting  among  each  other,  and  occupying  the  same 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  29 

Positive  Knowledge  the  Only  Means  of  Defense. 

bed  at  night./ A  night  with  a  stranger  may  be  the 
beginning  of  a  jonrne}^  on  the  road  to  destruction./  A 
boy  who  has  contracted  this  vice  will  debauch  smaller 
boys  as  chance  may  enable  him  to  do  so,  and  thus 
children  from  six  to  twelve  years  are  victimized  by 
those  of  twelve  and  upward.  The  young  might  with 
greater  safety  know  the  results  of  such  things,  since 
it  is  impracticable  to  keep  them  aloof  in  their  earlier 
years.  jjProper  care  and  education  with  reference  to 
them  is  the  only  basis  of  hope,  if  not  certain  means 
of  making  them  virtuous.  iJThe  responsibility  of  pa- 
rents in  the  raising  of  children  is  enhanced  by  the 
presence  of  these  social  vices,  which  must  be  guarded 
against.  Children  should  be  charo^ed  about  them, 
and  armed  with  adequate  means  of  defense.  They 
should  have  some  positive  knowledge  as  to  evil  sur- 
roundings, and  be  enlightened  as  to  the  consequences 
of  evil  associations.  Those  who  make  evil  communi- 
cations do  not  teach  how  to  get  over  evil  effects. 
Hence  the  parents  or  others  must  be  swift  to  teach 
prevention,  in  the  face  of  evils  which  surround  their 
children. 

The  reason  why  knowledge  on  this  subject  should 
be  imparted  to  the  young,  may  be  inferred  when  we 


30  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Their  Powers  of  Observation— Sleeping  in  the  Same  Bed. 

affirm  the  fact  that  this  practice  is  widely  known 
among  them.  Few  half-grown  boys  but  know  all 
about  it  and  the  terms  used  in  describing  it.  /  Tlie 
time-honored  custom  of  putting  children  of  opposite 
sexes  to  sleep  in  the  same  bed,  has  been  and  must  be 
followed  by  disastrous  results. /Children  are  ready  in 
observation  and  comparison.//  ThroM-n  closely  to- 
gether, they  notice  the  difference  of  the  sexes,  and  be- 
come unduly  familiar  with  them..  Often  those  in 
ciiarge  of  children  are  obliged  to  reprove  them  for 
knowing  too  much,  as  a  result  of  the  exercise  of  the 
faculty  of  comparison. /The  members  of  the  juvenile 
fraternity  have  not  been  credited  with  the  quick  wit 
and  power  which  they  possess. /Another  dangerous 
impropriety  is  that  of  elder  sisters  sleeping  with  their 
younger  brothers./  In  many  cases  this  is  a  practice 
of  girls  who  have  passed  the  stage  of  womanhood. 

Experience  has  shown  that  early  separation  of  the 
sexes  is  necessary  as  a  preventive  of  vices  which  have 
their  inception  in  tender  years.  \  This  should  occur  at 
the  age  of  four  or  five  years,  v  Blind  passion  or  un- 
educated desire  seems  to  be  unavoidable  in  boy  life, 
because  of  immature  mental  state  and  want  of  experi- 
ence.^ The  passions  of  boyhood  are  likely  to  extend 


SECKET    SIN'S    OF    SOCIETY.  31 

Lust  not  the  only  Passion  Developed. 

to  manhood,  and  all  througli  life  interpose  as  stum- 
blinf^-blocks  in  tlie  waj  of  healtli  and  happiness./  It 
is  the  duty  of  parents  to  enlij^hten  young  minds  in 
the  simplest  ways,  in  order  to  aiford  a  proper  outlet 
of  their  impulses,  y  This  will  prove  most  effectual  in 
youth,  and  give  insurance  of  integrity  in  after  life.  X 
jj  Habits  ruinous  to  men,  are  capable  of  correction  in 
boys.  I' Being  mere  creatures  of  impulse,  but  cunning 
in  nature,  children  take  on  the  bad  as  well  as  the 
good,  with  equal  facility.  They  seek  out  assurance  in 
gratification  of  desire,  whether  good  or  bad.  'They 
begin  early  to  employ  the  arts  of  deceit  to  furtlier 
gain  their  wishes.  They  sliould  be  trained  according 
to  their  respective  characters,  and  stimulated  to  think, 
—  to  think  rightly  and  conscientiously,  jf  It  will  take 
years  of  cool-headed  care  and  warm-hearted  sympathy 
on  the  part  of  those  overlooking  them,  to  bring  the 
young  safely  over  the  bridge  of  childhood,  jj  The  cost 
and  trouble  of  training  will  be  paid  back  in  good 
character  and  gratitude,  which  motliers  and  fathers 
value  above  all  other  things.  ||  Teach  them  the  right 
.ise  of  their  power  of  will.  Guard  them  against  the 
vices  of  extravagance  and  cupidity.  These  may  be 
far  removed  in  early  years;  not  so  easily,  or  hardly  at 


32  SECRET    SIKS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Protest  against  Boarding  Schools. 

all,  afterward.  I  The  worst  specimens  of  liimianity 
lay  their  bad  qualities  against  those  who  bronght 
thera  into  being. 

It  is  the  recollection  of  such  things  that  is  hninil- 
iating  in  later  years.  The  ills  of  boyhood  may  haunt 
the  mind,  or  crop  out  witli  all  the  greater  violence,  in 
manhood's  prime.  The  position  of  each  child  in  the 
family  should  be  recognized;  causes  of  undue  excite- 
ment or  reason  for  complaint  provided  against.  But 
children  will  not  bear  much  humoring. 

As  we  near  the  close  of  this  chapter,  we  feel  dis- 
posed to  enter  a  protest  against  boarding-house  schools, 
as  organized  at  the  present  day.  ("We  know  not  that 
these  should  be  regarded  as  other  than  necessary  evils. 
Surely  they  deserve  no  more  ennoljling  name.  '■  As 
irenerally  mana^-ed,  thev  are  scenes  of  irood  and  evil 
actions,  so  commingled  as  to  prove  more  bad  than 
good.  I  Measured  by  results  they  are  pernicious,  as 
they  are  known  as  the  way-stations  of  vice,  j  It 
is  true  that  these  schools  are  stopping-places  of 
young  roughs — sons  of  people  who  don't  want  their 
boys  to  be  with  the  herd  in  the  common  school, 
from  which  they  have  been  expelled.  I  "With  especial 
reference   to  their  means  of  securing  the    physical 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  33 

A  Word  to  Parents — Proper  Development. 

and  moral  welftire  of  scholars,  these  institutions  are 
sadlj  at  fault.  The  management  is  too  general 
and  irresponsible  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  special 
case.  The  daily  routine  of  duty  is  gone  through  with 
from  term  to  term,  and  many  attendants  of  the  schools 
return  to  their  respective  homes  dwarfed  by  habits 
contracted  while  under  the  charge  of  their  teachers. 

/  Think  of  the  youth  who  leaves  home  for  instruction 
and  training,  but  comes  back  with  every  sense  cor- 
rupted!|  Those  who  have  felt  the  pang  of  disappoint- 
ment at  the  loss  of  a  boy  or  friend,  consumed  by  vice, 
are  most  competent  to  appreciate  the  responsibleness 
of  the  position  of  teacher. 

A.  Parents!  we  beseech  of  you  to  take  your  boys  into 
your  confidence!  '  Treat  them  as  younger  brothers.' 
Break  over  the  1*0011811  barrier  that  prevents  you  from 
telling  them  plainly  the  right  course  for  them  to  pur- 
sue. Be  as  honest  with  them  as  you  are  with  your 
neighbors.  Show  them  that  it  is  necessary  to  properly 
protect  and  develop  their  sexual  organs,  as  it  is  to 
develop  any  other  part  of  their  bodies.  That  over- 
work of  the  body  will  transform  them  into  miserable, 
scrubby  hunchbacks,  or  slender,  puny  striplings,  lia- 
ble to  fall  a  victim  to  the  first  attack  of  disease.     So, 


34:  SECIiET    SINS    Oi'"    SOCIETY. 

Lessons  Rig'.tfully  Lenriicd. 

too,  excesses  and  overwork  of  the  delicate  organs 
wisely  implanted  for  important  use,  will  retard  and 
dwarf  them  beyond  hope  of  recoverj,\  and  not  only 
that,  but  as  likely  as  not  carry  them  down  to  a  prema- 
ture, disgraced  and  dishonored  grave. 
)(  Do  not  let  any  diffidence  or  prudery  prevent  you 
from  doing  your  whole  duty,  for  your  children  had 
far  better  learn  such  lessons  rightfully,  from  you,  than 
wrongfully,  from  some  vicious  person  or  lewd  or  pol- 
luted companion,  y 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  35 


Causes  of  Everlasting  Ruin. 


PAET   II. 

EDUCATION  AND  TRAINING  OF  GIRLS  AND  YOUNG 
WOMEN. 

i'^ONSIDERED  in  its  largest  sense,  education  is  the 
medium  through  wliich  the  youth  of  both  sexes  be- 
come strong,  healtlij,  intelligent  and  honest.  Thus  it 
comprehends  our  physical  and  moral  training.  Ex- 
perience has  proved  again  and  again  that  something 
should  be  said — that  words  of  warning  should  be  given 
to  girls  just  emerging  into  womanhood,  on  a  subject  of 
vital  importance  to  their  future  healtli  and  happiness. 
Glance  around  and  see  the  dwarf  and  sickly  specimens 
of  feminine  humanity,  and  observe  at  once  how  our  sys- 
tem is  actually  conducted,  almost  to  the  ruin  and  dis- 
grace of  our  race.  We  have  said  elsewhere  that  these 
inherent  qualities  do  not  belong  to  any  particular  class 
of  American  youth.  We  cannot  keep  our  lips  and 
eyes  closed  to  the  fact  that  thousands  of  the  fairest 
and  best  of  our  girls  are  being  driven   into  everlast- 


36  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Hereditary  Vices  in  the  Constitution. 

ing  ruin  by  a  soul-destroying  vice  which  works  un- 
seen, but  not  unknown  to  the  careful  observer.  We 
propose  to  state  some  of  these  evils  and  the  errors  of 
our  system  of  training.  A  healthy  mind  and  a 
healthy  body  is  the  great  desideratum.  V  The  mind 
seconds  the  body  in  all  its  vices.  \ 

The  more  feeble  the  body,  the  more  it  commands; 
the  stronger  the  body  the  more  it  obeys.  Among  the 
animal  kingdom  and  in  the  uncivilized  world,  the 
feeble  or  imperfect  die  before  reproducing  themselves, 
but  with  civilized  nations  science  preserves  the  exist- 
ence of  the  debilitated  creatures,  who  marry  and  re- 
produce their  similars.  \  The  science  of  medicine  may 
have  succeeded  in  preserving  the  existence  of  such 
beings,  but  it  has  failed  to  erase  the  hereditary  vices 
of  the  constitution.\  Our  world  is  made  up  of  facts 
illustrating  this  great  natural  law  of  hereditary  de- 
8cent.\  No  facts  in  nature  are  more  sure  or  wonderful.^ 
You,  of  this  life,  are  just  what  this  law  has  made  you 
— the  very  image  of  your  parents — mentally  and  phys- 
ically. Medicine  does  not  affect  these  facts.  The 
child  who  inherits  consumption  is  exposed  carelessly 
all  his  early  life;  the  son  of  a  madman  placed  in  a 
school-house,  and  his  inherited  mania  developed ;  and 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETr.  37 

Natural  Defects  and  their  Kemediea 

lie  who  inherits  intestinal  diseases  is  delivered  up  to 
tliG  management  of  chance  or  caprice.  Constitu- 
tional defects  and  weaknesses,  studied  nor  alleviated, 
at  home,  in  public,  or  in  private  establishments. 
With  tlie  ignorant  and  the  poorer  classes  these  facts 
apply  with  still  greater  force,  but  happily  for  them, 
misery  kills  off  the  weaker.  If  nature  had  a  fair 
chance,  these  diseased  proclivities  could  be  staved  off. 
The  various  changes  of  air,  water,  and  places,  which  our 
system  of  railroad  puts  at  our  disposal,  enable  us  to  reg- 
ulate, to  a  great  extent,  these  hereditary  taints./  It  is 
not  to  be  expected  that  the  constitutional  vices  of  our 
parents  can  be  brought  up  to  a  standard  of  perfect 
health;  but  we  do  claim  that  these  natural  defects  can 
be  remedied  to  a  very  great  extent.  ■  We  are  not  al- 
ways born  with  the  diseases  our  parents  are  afflicted 
with,  but  only  with  a  tendency  to  them.  '  The  weak 
systems  are  not  the  only  ones  that  suffer  from  the  pre- 
vailing false  notions  of  education,  but  the  most  ro- 
bust and  healthy  are  often  debilitated  and  destroyed. 
We  see  children  —  girls  especially — excluded  from 
light  and  air,  and  condemned  to  inaction  at  an  age 
when  the  organism  demands  these  very  things,  and 
are  thus  made  to  violate  the  most  obvious  laws  of  na- 


3S  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Physiral  Improvement  Demanded. 

tare.  Days  and  diiys  are  passed  in  the  parental  man- 
sion, without  beholding  a  ray  of  sunlight,  or  breath- 
ing the  external  air,  and  it  would  seem  as  if  everything 
was  specially  devised  to  weaken  the  body  and  moral 
sense  of  these  children.  Pupils  in  our  educational 
establishments  are  condemned  to  breathe  the  impure 
atmosphere,  and  at  the  same  time  to  be  subjected  to  an 
amount  of  mental  application  to  which  even  adult 
natures  would  succumb.  In  most  of  these  establish- 
ments, there  are  no  provisions  made  for  the  physical 
development.  Girls  are  deprived  of  those  physical 
advantages  that  boys  have,  because  it  is  the  fashion. 
Girls  in  our  cities  are  objects  of  sympathy,  whether 
they  belong  to  the  fashionable  or  to  the  semi-fashion- 
able classes. 

\  This  is  a  fast  ageJ  and  there  are  many  methods  cal- 
culated to  force  premature  womanhood  upon  the  poor 
girl,  and  our  only  wonder  is  that  we  have  any  women 
at  all.  A  girl  thus  raised  in  the  city,  without  air, 
light  and  exercise,  is  but  a  puny  house-plant,  no  more 
able  to  buffet  her  way  in  the  world  than  an  infant. 
She  may  be  accomplished  in  the  fragile  arts — may  sing 
divinely,  and  waltz  for  an  hour  like  a  fairy — but  let 
real,  downright  vicissitudes  come,  let  her  be  crowded 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


Some  Illustrations— Ignorance  of  Life. 


through  the  threshing-machine  of  adversity,  and  you 
will  see  but  a  wisp  of  straw  and  a  little  chaif,  instead  of 
the  golden  grain  of  a  good,  well-developed  constitution. 
"  Dear  Gawge,"  said  Seraphina,  one  of  these  fragile 
beauties,  "  when  we  are  married,  and  go  to  your  farm, 
out  West,  you  won't  ask  me  to  do  vulgar  housework, 
will  you  ?  You  must  get  me  a  pony  and  phaeton, 
and  an  upright  piano,  and  lots  of  good  books  and  mag- 
azines, and  I  will  take  my  canary  and  dear  little  poo- 
dle, Snap,  and  will  take  such  good  care  of  them,  and 
read  and  sini^,  and  ride  out,  and,  oh!  we  shall  be  so 
happy.  Cousin  Sadie  can  go  with  us  and  keep  me 
company  ;  and  you  can  hire  Susan  Jones  to  go  along 
and  do  the  housework,  for  Susan  is  a  real  good  house- 
keeper, and  can  cook  just  splendid.  She  is  awful 
good-hearted,  and  would  be  good  to  the  hired  men,  and 
may  be  might  some  day  '  make  a  mash '  on  some  of 
them  and  get  married,  and,  oh!  wouldn't  that  be  ro- 
mantic! '  Poor  Susan,'  I  like  her,  but  then'slie  is  so 
ignorant  and  awkward.  By  the  way,  Gawge,  don't 
you  think  you  had  better  go  over  to  Mrs.  Jones'  and 
make  a  bargain  with  Susan  to  go,  for  I  can't  think  of 
depending  on  some  strange  girl,  away  out  "VYest,  that 
might  be  wicked  and  steal  all  my  jewelry." 


40  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

An  Illustration— Health  and  Happiness— Isolaticn  ct  the  Sexes 

And  "Gawge"  went  to  see  Susan  Jones,  and  then 
went  again  and  again,  and  one  day  Seraphma  received 
a  note  from  the  West,  stating  that  "  Gawge  "  had  de- 
cided to  take  Susan  Jones  out  West  alone,  as  it  was 
cheaper  to  marry  Susan  than  to  marry  Seraphina  and 
then  hire  Susan,  and  buy  a  piano  and  pony  and  phae- 
ton, all  at  once,  when  he  needed  money  badlyj  to  build 
barns  and  buy  farm  machinery  with. 

And  so  Seraphina  reads  "  dish  water  "  novels  and 
weeps  over  her  canary  and  poodle,  "  while  poor  Su- 
san," healthy,  happy  and  contented,  sings  a  lullaby  to 
a  fat  crowing  baby,  and  George  blesses  the  day  he 
married  the  hired  girl,  instead  of  the  fragile  Seraphina 
and  her  canary  and  poodle  dog. 

This  system  of  training  pursued  is  done  at  the  ex- 
pense of  maidenly  freshness,  and  promotes  a  precocious 
sexual  development.  We  propose  to  bring  out  a  few 
facts  within  the  knowledge  and  observation  of  all. 
K  We  plead  strongly  for  the  isolation  of  the  sexes — not  a 
complete  separation  of  children  of  the  same  family, 
but  isolation  in  sleeping  and  dressing,  and  those  little 
matters  which  expose  the  difference  of  physical 
organizations.  With  the  opulent  this  can  be  easily 
done,  and  with  nearlj'  all  classes  it  can  be  carried  out 
to  the  extent  necessary. 


SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  41 

Love  of  Dress  in  Girls— A  Horrible  Rivalry— Children's  Parties.. 

Love  of  dress  with  girls  is  one  of  the  passions  early 
implanted  by  example.  ITothing  is  more  dangerous 
to  the  health  of  body  or  mind,  or  even  to  chastity 
itself.  The  statistics  of  prostitution  abundantly  prove 
this  assertion,  and  snows  the  ruinous  condition  that 
mothers  are  bringing  their  daughters  to.  The  desire 
that  should  actuate  a  mother  to  decorate  her  little 
daughters  should  only  be  a  desire  to  dress  them  with 
neatness  and  propriety. 

(  It  is  a  common  custom  now  to  have  children's  par- 
ties ;  and  a  horrible  rivalrv  has  sprung  up  in  that 
direction,  wherein  the  extravagances  and  dissipations 
of  their  elders  are  imitated  to  the  very  letter.  |  Each 
fond  parent  seems  to  seek  to  out-do  her  acquaintances 
in  the  show  and  magnificence  displayed  upon  her 
little  ones.  By  this  unnatural  course  the  bnds  of  sen- 
timents, instincts  and  desires,  are  forced  to  bloom 
years  in  advance,  and  these  little  misses,  who  ought 
to  be  romping  in  the  meadows  or  playing  with  their 
dolls  in  the  nursery  or  garden,  are  actually  talking 
fashionable  gossip,  and  burning  their  poor  little  half- 
made  bodies  out  by  longings  and  desires  as  premature 
as  they  are  disastrous  and  wicked. 

The  newspapers  minister  to  this  morbid  element, 


42  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

The  Fashionable  World— A  Single  "Bad  Girl  "—Novel  Reading. 

and  the  superb  toilets  of  the  misses  and  masters  are 
elaborately  written  up  in  their  columns,  to  satisfy  that 
growing  desire  to  be  publicly  known  in  the  fashion- 
able world.  (  Little  children  from  eight  to  fifteen  are 
thus  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  dissipation,  in- 
cluding flirtation  and  liaisons.  \  It  is  much  worse 
for  girls  than  for  boys.  If  it  is  dangerous  to  send  our 
boys  to  boarding-schools,  it  is  much  more  so  to  send 
our  girls. ;  A  single  "  bad  girl "  in  a  boarding-school 
will  corrupt  the  entire  numberXas  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible for  a  pure-minded  girl  to  avoid  listening  to,  or 
beholding  the  debased  conversation  and  actions  that 
may  be  carried  on,  and  no  young  lady  can  listen  and 
behold  without  pollution. 

The  first  impressions  of  a  bad  education  affect  the 
whole  moral  nature.  T  Ail  authorities  agree  that  a  lux- 
urious and  voluptuous  education  is  the  most  calcula- 
ted to  destroy  the  moral  sentiments  of  the  heart,  and 
expose  the  nervous  sj^stem  to  the  most  fatal  perturba- 
tions. .  N^ovel-reading,  theaters,  dancing  and  the  like, 
are  sources  of  untold  mischief.  \  As  for  the  reading  of 
novels,  attending  balls  and  theaters,  the  perusal  of 
sensational  newspapers— i-  should  be  prohibited  as 
positively  as   are  the  taking  of  arsenic   or  any  rank 


SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY.  43 

Voluptuous  Education— The  Genteel  Way  of  Legalizing  Improper  Rciaauui. 

poison.  ThereTnedj  is  before  us,  will  you  follow  it  ? 
Parents  '  will  you  profit  by  the  medical  experience 
of  every  age  and  country  ?  will  you  put  forward  a 
helping  hand  to  save  your  girls  from  this  wide- 
spread ruin? 

i  Overtaxing  any  one  organ  robs  another.  So  this 
form  of  licentiousness  robs  the  entire  person — both 
body  and  mind.  ^  Your  daughters  are  dying  by  the 
thousands,  ostensibly  of  consumption,  female  com- 
plaints, nervous  and  spinal  affections,  general  debility, 
and  other  ailments  caused  solely  from  this  practice.  I 

Generally  evil  consists  in  the  abuse  of  good  things, 
and  it  would  be  better  if  we  would  compromise  witli 
the  demands  of  the  times  and  require  that  lessons  in 
both  music  and  dancing  be  made  a  task,  rather  than 
the  work  of  pleasure.  Many  will  read  these  pages 
with  a  certain  amount  of  prudery,  but  who  would  not 
scruple  to  place  in  the  hands  of  their  daughters  the 
journals  of  the  day,  teeming  with  items  of  the  most  re- 
volting character.  Young  America  in  petticoats  or 
in  trowsers  does  not  seem  to  have  an  intermediate  stage 
of  existence  between  childhood  and  old  age.  If  the 
young  girl  does  not  marry  from  the  school-room,  she  is 
at  least  engaged.     The   excerptions  are   those  who  do 


44:  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETT. 

Improprieties  Accorded  Acknowledged  Lovers. 

not  secure  eligible  lovers,  or  those  who  are  too  i  na- 
tractive  to  find  any.^  An  engagement  in  these  mo  Je.n 
times  is  the  genteel  way  of  legalizing  improper  re- 
lations with  some  favored  one  of  the  opposite  sGxi|j 
I  These  singular  relations  often  exist  for  a  long  time, 
and  are  known  to  all  the  world  before  being  suspected 
by  the  parents.  { 

Often  the  girl  is  "engaged  to  be  married"   many 
times  before  the  "  right  one"  is  secured. y:  Tlien  have 
mercy  on  the  "  right  one,"  for  the  young  heart  is  used 
up  by  that  t'lmeJC  Look  at  the  impropriety  of  per- 
mitting young  ladies  and  gentlemen  to  hold  posses- 
sion of  the  drawing-room  night  after    night,   while 
their  parents  or  guardians  are  too  indolent  to  inveigh 
against  these  privileges  which  are  so  improperly  ac- 
corded   to  those   who  acknowledge    the  relation    of 
lovers.     It  is  the  a-bominabje, custom  to  give  these 
favored   ones  all  the  rights  of  privacy  and  solitude 
that  could  be  expected  if  the  marriage  ceremony  had 
been  performed.     Except  in  a  private  bedroom  they 
are  as  secluded  as  any  married  couple  could  wish. 
With  doors  locked  and  curtains  drawn,  they  pass  the 
night  learning  the  details  of  passion,  and  often  its 
entire  mysteries,  to  the  detriment  of  their  physical 


SECRET   SI^S    OF    SOCIETY.  45 

Suggestive  Scenes— Matrimonial  Prospects. 

and  moral  health.  Only  a  short  time  ago  there  ap- 
peared in  one  of  our  prominent  weeklies  a  beautifully 
executed  design,  representing  two  lovers  unwilling 
to  say  good-night.  The  young  gallant  sinks  back  ex- 
hausted into  a  large  arm-chair.  On  the  mantel  stands 
a  clock  indicating  half-past  twelve,  to  which  the 
charming  betrothed  regretfully  points,  while  riveting 
a  gaze  of  languid  passion  on  her  admirer,  who  returns 
it  with  meaning  glances.  The  whole  scene  is  very 
suggestive,  and  is  notable  for  its  truthful  revelation 
of  our  national  style  of  courtship. |  When  pointed  out 
to  a  young  lady  who  "  had  been  there,"  she  said  the 
young  lady's  hair  and  dress  were  too  smooth  and  un- 
ruffled for  the  occasion. 

Think  of  it,  ye  fathers  and  mothers  who  have  the 
good  of  your  daughters  at  heart.  It  is  not  surprising 
that  a  broken  engagement  should  seriously  compro- 
mise a  young  lady's  matrimonial  prospects,  and  that 
young  men  should  be  shy  of  those  whose  charms  have 
already  been  freely  lavished  on  another.  How  many 
young  ladies  there  are,  very  pretty  and  attractive,  who 
shine  in  society  year  after  year,  who  cannot  obtain  hus- 
bands, owing  solely  to  the  fact  that  they  are  too  well 
known  to  the  young  men  as  those  with  whom  the  ut- 


46  SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Scandalous  Flirtations— Degrees  of  Libertinism. 

most  freedom  can  be  taken  without  being  rebuked,  but 
even  encouraged.  What  are  the  fathers  and  mothers  ot 
America  thinking  of  when  thej  allow  their  daughters 
to_take  long  drives  and  walks  in  solitary  pairs,  go  to 
balls  and  parties  without  a  protecting  eye,  and  even 
to  church,  which  is  oiten  followed  by  flirtations  too 
scandalous  to  mention.  Should  not  their  own  experi- 
ence teach  them  to  guard  those  dependent  upon  them 
from  such  dangers? 

If  there  are  any  who  do  not  heed  the  authority  of 
their  parents  or  guardians,  let_^them  receive  instruc- 
tions from  one  who  knows  thoroughly  the  weakness 
of  women  and  the  perfidy  of  men.  Young  women, 
if  you  knew  how  lightly  you  were  esteemed  by  those 
who  so  earnestly  and  passionately  seek  your  favors, 
you  would  deny  them  every  favor  they  ask.. < There 
are  several  degrees  in  libertinism — the  affectionate 
caress,  the  wanton  impropriety,  and  the  deliberate  se- 
duction ;  and  it  is  a  fact  that  these  several  stages  are 
at  the  command  of  him  to  whom  you  surrender  the 
outposts  of  your  purity .yThe  truth  of  this  maxim  has 
been  demonstrated  time  and  time  again.  "If  a  wo- 
man hesitates  she  is  lost."  All  history  shows  this  to 
be  the  universal  sentiment  of  mankind,  and  the  more 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  47 

Where  the  Danger  Lies— Be  on  your  guard. 

innocent  a  girl  may  be  at  heart,  the  more  certain  she 

will-fall  if  she  surrenders  her  advance  guards  of  honor. 

/\No  girl  should  permit  the  slightest  familiarity,  unless 

j  impelled  to  do  so  by  strong  sentiments  of  love.  Witli- 
out  this  element  of  passion,  love  would  not  exist.  If 
it  once  becomes  developed,  it  is  uncontrollable  in  pi-o- 
portion  to  the  strength  and  confidence.  The  very 
thought  of  your  surrendering  yourself  to  the  power 

v^  of  any  man  is  so  startling,  that  it  should  put  you  on 
)^onr  guard  against  surprise  of  any  kind. 
JC  The  indulgence  of  pleasures  are  the  poisoned  ar- 
rows that  destroy  every  power  of  resistance^  Let  no 
man  take  liberties  that  will  put  you  in  that  melting, 
helpless  mood,  for  therein  the  danger  lies/  It  makes 
but  little  difference  whether  the  physical  virginity 
be  lost  or  not,  if  the  purity  of  the  heart  be  gone  /for 
all  degrees  of  sensuality  have  been  taken  except  the 
consummation  of  the  physical./ 

The  majority  of  girls  are  educated  with  the  idea 
that  marriaire  is  the  end  and  aim  of  existence.  The 
first  "look  out"  is  to  mari-y  wealthy  if  possible — but 
marry  any  how. 

The  daily  conversation  of  our  young  misses  consists 
of  building  air-castles,  with  a  man  in  them;  but  not 
a  favorable  word  for  "  old  maids." 


48  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

The  Latest  Proposition— Woman's  Rights— Political  Eligibility. 

The  latest  proposition  is  that  woman  shall  have  the 
same  political  privileges  as  men.  This  heresy  is  con- 
ducted under  the  cognofnen  of  "  Woman's  Eights,  " 
and  seems  to  have  become  almost  epidemic.  If  car- 
ried into  actual  practice,  woman  would  become  rapid- 
ly unsexed  and  degraded  from  her  present  position, 
without  securing  any  of  the  advantages  of  man.  Ev- 
ery argument  that  has  been  brought  forward  has  as- 
sured them  that  they  are  deprived  of  their  just  rights, 
and  it  is  of  little  moment  to  them  of  what  those  rights 
consist,  so  long  as  they  feel  dissatisfied  with  their 
condition.  Carry  those  so-called  "  Woman's  Rights  " 
into  practice,  and  it  will  speedily  bring  the  gentle 
mother  and  loving  wife  down  to  the  level  of  the 
brawling  Amazon.  We  all  admit  that  it  is  very  dif- 
ficult to  reform  a  single  abuse,  but  it  is  easy  to  imag- 
ine the  effect  that  the  "political  eligibility"  of  wom- 
en would  liave  on  society.  It  would  be  the  cause  of 
introducing  an  element  of  discord  into  the  family  cir- 
cle which  would  nigh  ruin  its  sacred  ties.  What  there 
is  of  families  is  held  together  by  the  graces  and  vir- 
tues of  woman.  Reforms  are  needed;  and  tlie  remedy 
can  be  supplied  by  woman;  but  only  as  a  wife  and 
mother.    To  make  home  "  the  sweetest  place  on  eai;th;" 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY  *  49 

Nobleness  of  Character, — Passinate  Nature. 

to  direct  and  inspire  her  sons  and  daughters  to  be- 
come noble  characters,  which  is  the  surest  guarantee 
of  respect;  to  throw  around  them  such  safeguards  as 
shall  prevent  them  from  falling  into  the  many  paths 
of  intemperance  ere  tlieir  bodies  or  minds  become 
moulded  into  mature  forms,  and  to  advise  them  wise- 
ly in  the  dawning  years  of  tlieir  womanhood  and  man- 
hood, so  that  no  mis-step  shall  be  taken,  or  if  taken 
unawares,  shall  be  speedily  retraced. 
\  Out  of  every  hundred  courtesans  that  pollute  our 
country,  at  least  ninety  were  seduced  and  ruined  be- 
fore their  eighteenth  birthday,\ and  the  remainder 
probably  fell  after  that  age  only  because  earlier  oppor- 
tunities did  not  offer.  Persons  predisposed  to  pul- 
monary and  other  hereditary  ailments,  if  carefully 
nursed  and  carried  past  a  certain  critical  age,  will 
probably  live  to  a  fair  old  age;)(just  so  with  girls  who, 
having  inherited  a  passionate  nature,  are  prone  to 
gratify  those  passions  in  the  exuberance  of  dawning 
womanhood,  can,  by  a  course  of  careful  watching  and 
training,  be  held  in  check  until  years  of  discretion 
furnish  the  surest  safeguard,  be  made  the  noblest, 
purest,  and  best  of  wives  and  mothers,  with  never  a 
fear  of  an  indiscretion  in  after  years.X 


50  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Kobleness  of  Character— Passionate  Nature. 

How  infinitely  important,  then,  that  childhood  be 
bereft  of  those  passional  circumstances  that  serve  to 
excite  and  inflame  the  budding  desires  that,  when  de- 
veloped at  the  right  age,  and  under  right  conditions, 
are  the  greatest  sources  of  human  pleasure  and  human 
development,  implanted  in  our  natures  by  an  All- wise 
Creator. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  51 


The  most  Fatal  of  Vices. 


^A 


PAET    III. 

MALE   SELF-ABUSE. 

LL  over  this  world  the  criminal  and  sexual  demor- 
alization is  carried  on  to  an  alarming  and  fatal  ex- 
tent. Our  country  suffers  no  evil  to  compare  with  it; 
it  is  encountered  everwhere — from  the  cradle  to  the  old 
man  just  on  the  verge  of  the  grave.  It  is  the  vice  of 
vices,  and  has  caused  more  sexual  depravities  than  all 
other  evils  combined.  Drunkenness,  swindling,  cheat- 
ing,  mnrderings  and  pestilences  of  all  kinds,  and  even 
war  itself,  do  not  cause  as  much  misery  in  the  human 
family  as  this  secret  sin.  ^ 

It  is  no  wonder  that  parents  and  teachers  are  be- 
coming alarmed  at  the  awful  ravages  of  thie  revolting 
crime. 

The  great  majority  that  indulge  in  this  vice  to  a 
moderate  extent  escape  detection,  but  it  no  less  affects 
their  intellectual  and  physical  being.     It  is  from  the 


52  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIEIT. 

"  Wise  Women" — Their  Plan. 

ages  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  that  its  ravages  are  tlie 
most  deplorable,  and  thej  continue  on  forever,  unless 
great  efforts  are  put  forward  to  stop  it  at  once. 

Tiie  nervous  system  in  the  human  organization  too 
often  predominates  in  children,  which  is  the  predis- 
l)Osing  cause  of  vice,  urged' on  a^  it  is  generally  by  an 
inherited  tendency  to  precocity. 

Of  course  it  cannot  be  attributed  to  stimulation 
exerted  on  the  genital  organs  by  the  presence  of  the 
spermatic  fl.u id,  for  in  them  this  secretion  does  not 
exist. 

It  often  happens  that  the  organs  of  generation  in 
young  subjects  become  the  seat  of  abnormal  sensitive- 
ness, which  is  the  signal  of  this  most  terrible  and  fatal 
passion.  This  will  explain  why  the  genital  organs  of 
"  slumbering  childhood  "  are  often  observed  in  a  state 
of  excitement  unnatural  at  that  age.  It  is  obvious 
that  the  least  accidental  touch,  or  even  involuntary 
movement,  may  very  easily  lead  to  the  most  frightful 
and  devouring  passion.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the 
most  common  origin  of  this  precocious  sensibility  is 
caused  by  the  passionate  creatures  to  whose  care  these 
little  beings  are  confided,  as  nurses,  or  young  servants. 
\  Some  "over- wise  women"  have  adopted  this  method 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  53 

t 

Sad  Case  of  a  Child  of  Five  Years— Other  Cases. 

of  quieting  the  cries  of  young  infants.  Sooner  or 
later  these  children  avail  themselves  of  this  discovery, 
and  they  soon  become  crazed  with  the  passion.  \  Thus 
initiated,  a  case  of  a  child  is  related  who  contracted 
this  halnt  at  the  age  of  five  years,  went  insane  at 
eleven,  and  died  at  sixteen. 

A  prominent  writer  on  onanism  speaks  of  a  con- 
firmed masturbator  at  eighteen  months.  A  physician 
was  called  to  attend  a  case  of  inveterate  priapism  in  a 
child  of  four  years.  The  urine  was  voided  drop  by 
drop,  and  the  suffering  was  extreme  at  intervals,  and 
the  little  patient  was  found  surrounded  by  wise  old 
women,  who  endeavored  to  reduce  the  organ  by  im- 
modest proceedings.  The  whole  trouble  consisted  of 
the  presence  of  minute  calculi  which  had  lodged  in 
the  urethra,  and  which  being  removed  the  trouble  sub- 
sided. 

A  case  of  a  child  seven  years  old — supposed  to  have 
been  instructed  by  a  female  servant — polluted  himself 
so_that  he  died  of  slow  fever.  His  passion  for  this 
act  was  so  great  that  it  could  not  be  prevented,  even 
in  the  last  daj'S  of  his  life.  A  young  man  relates  that 
"  I  knew  nothing  of  this  vice  until  I  was  ten  years  of 
age,  when  one  of  my   schoolmates  instructed  me.     I 


64:  SECPtET    SINS    OF    SOCIETV. 

Terrible  Case— Combin  ition  of  Miseries. 

could  not  tell  the  nurabor  of  times  I  practiced  it  up 
to  the  age  of  fifteen,  but  for  three  jeava  since  I  liave 
not  fallen.  I  have,  however,  frequent  pollutions,  which 
occur  in  spite  of  myself,  during  five  or  six  nights  in 
succession.  I  cannot  enjoy  a  tranquil  repose,  and  the 
whole  day  I  am  sad.  I  have  changed  my  school,  but 
everywhere  I  meet  this  libertinism  carried  on  to  ex- 
cess. \  It  is  doubtless  due  to  my  temperament  that  I 
have  outlived  nearly  all  of  my  comrades."  \ 

The  following  case  we  copy  entire  from  a  well 
known  author  : 

"  A  watchmaker  had  been  virtuous  and  healthy  un- 
til the  age  of  seventeen.  At  that  time  he  delivered 
himself  up  to  masturbation,  which  he  repeated  three 
times  a  day,  and  the  consummation  of  the  act  was  al- 
ways preceded  and  accompanied  by  a  slight  loss  of 
consciousness,  and  a  convulsive  movement  of  the  ex- 
tensor muscles  of  the  head,  which  was  forcibly  thi-own 
back,  while  the  neck  became  extraordinarily  swollen. 
In  less  than  one  year  he  began  to  experience  great 
weakness  after  eacli  act.  This  warning  was  not  suf- 
ficient to  drive  him  from  the  danger.  His  mind  was 
wholly  given  up  to  this  infamy,  was  no  longer  ca- 
pable of  other  ideas,  and  the  repetition  of  the  crime 


SECREf    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  65 

Terrible  Case— continued. 

become  everj'  day  more  frequent,  until  he  found  him- 
self in  a  condition  which  led  him  to  be  apprehensive 
.of  death.  Wise  too  late,  the  evil  had  made  such  pro- 
fxress  tliat  he  could  not  be  cured,  and  the  genital  or- 
gans became  so  irritable  and  so  feeble  that  there  was 
no  longer  required  the  act  to  produce  seminal  emis- 
sion. 

The  spasm  which  formerly  occurred  only  at  the  con- 
summation of  the  act,  and  ceased  at  the  same  time, 
had  become  habitual,  and  often  seized  him  without 
apparent  cause  and  in  so  violent  a  fashion  that  during 
the  whole  time  of  the  paroxysm,  which  sometimes 
lasted  fifteen  hours  and  never  less  than  eight,  he 
experienced  in  the  back  of  the  neck  such  violent  pains 
that  he  commonly  raised,  not  cries,  but  howls,  and  it 
was  impossible  for  him  daring  all  this  time  to  swallow 
either  liquids  or  solids.  His  voice  became  hoarse, 
but  was  more  so  during  his  paroxysms.  He  lost  his 
strength  entirely,  and  was  obliged  to  abandon  his  pro- 
fession ;  incapable  of  anything,  overwhelmed  with 
misery,  he  languished  almost  without  succor  during 
several  months,  so  much  the  more  to  be  pitied  that  a 
trace  of  memory,  which  had  nearly  vanished,  only 
served  to  recall  to  him  incessantly  the  causes  of  liia 


56  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Extinction  of  Meniory— Loathsome  condition  of  Body  and  Mivid. 

misfortune,  and  to  augment  all  the  horror  of  his  re- 
morse. I  learned  his  case  and  visited  him.  I  found 
but  little  more  than  a  corpse  groaning  upon  the  straw 
— emaciated,  pale,  filthy — exhaling  an  infectious  odor 
— almost  incapable  of  any  movement.  He  lost  often 
a  pale  and  watery  blood  at  the  nose  ;  a  constant  slime 
flowed  from  the  mouth  ;  attacked  with  diarrhoea,  he 
rendered  his  excrements  in  bed  without  knowledge  of 
the  fact ;  the  spermatic  flux  was  continued  ;  bleared, 
troubled,  dull,  he  had  no  longer  the  faculty  of 
motion.  The  pulse  was  extremely  small  and  rapid, 
the  respiration  very  labored,  the  emaciation  excessive, 
except  at  the  feet,  which  commenced  to  be  dropsical. 
The  disorder  of  the  mind  was  not  less:  without  mem- 
ory, incapable  of  connecting  two  phrases  without  re- 
flection, without  inquietude  as  to  his  fate;  with  no 
other  sentiment  than  that  of  pain,  which  returned  with 
all  the  accessions  at  least  every  three  days ;  a  being  far 
below  the  brute;  a  spectacle  of  which  it  is  impossible 
to  conceive  the  horror;  one  would  with  diSiculty  rec- 
ognize that  he  formerly  belonged  to  the  human  species. 
I  succeeded  promptly  by  the  aid  of  remedies  in  con- 
trolling those  violent  spasmodic  accessions,  which 
only  recalled  him  so  cruelly  to  consciousness  by  the 


SECKET   SINS  OF   SOCIETY.  0< 

A  Picture— The  Wretched  Victims. 

pains.  Content  to  have  relieved  him  in  this  respect, 
I  discontinued  remedies  which  could  not  ameliorate 
his  condition.  He  died  at  the  end  of  some  weeks 
(June  IT,  1857),  dropsical  from  head  to  foot." — {Onan- 
ism  par  Tissot.) 

Our  insane  asjlums  and  poor-houses  are  crowded 
with  these  wretched  victims.  We  have  watched  them 
in  their  drooling  idiocy,  a  mere  mass  of  corrupted 
flesh  in  the  semblance  of  a  man.  !Nor  are  all  the  vic- 
tims of  this  dread  disease  driven  speedilv  to  their 
graves  or  the  almshouse.  Many  who  possess  strong 
physical  constitutions,  linger  along  in  the  ordinary 
avocations  of  life,  to  an  imbecile  old  age.  Others, 
less  w€ll  organized,  drift  into  low,  filthy  avocations, 
and  eke  out  a  miserable  existence.  One  man  at  the 
age  of  forty,  who  had  reduced  the  sexual  organs  to  a 
mere  flabby  rudiment,  by  this  vice,  sought  a  livelihood 
by  buying  and  hauling  dead  hogs  to  a  soap  factory. 
Another,  hump-shouldered,  lop-sided,  blear-eyed, 
drooling  and  filthy,  carted  swill  to  feed  a  few  swine. 
The  poor  miserable  creatures  we  see  in  large  cities, 
gathering  rags  and  bones  and  garbage,  and  living  in 
huts  and  goods  boxes,  and  dens,  are  almost  all  of  this 
low,  brutalized  class. 


58  SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Physical  Symptoms  of  the  Masturbator. 

Young  men,  for  God's  sake,  and  jour  own  sake, 
heed  our  warnings,  or  these  revolting  pictures  may- 
be but  a  photograph  of  your  now  unseen  future.  Bet- 
ter would  it  be  for  you  if  you  had  died  in  your  in- 
fancy. 

To  detect  this  vice,  a  mawkish,  shamed,  repellent 
look  is  the  surest  sign.  The  onanist  presents  an  as- 
pect of  languor,  weakness  and  thinness.  The  counte- 
nance is  pale,  sunken,  flabby,  and  more  or  less  livid, 
with  a  dark  circle  around  the  sunken  eyes,  which  are 
dull  and  lowered  or  averted.  There  is  a  dry  cough, 
oppression,  panting  and  fatigue  on  the  least  exertion, 
palpitation,  obscured  vision,  dizziness,  tremulousness, 
painful  cramps,  convulsive  movements  like  epilepsy, 
pains  in  the  limbs  or  at  the  back  of  the  head,  in  the 
the  spine,  breast  or  stomach,  great  weakness  in  the 
back,  sometimes  lethargy,  at  other  times  slow,  hectic 
consumptive  fever,  digestive  derangements,  nausea, 
vomiting,  loss  of  appetite  or  progressive  emaciation. 
Sometimes  the  body  is  bent,  and  often  there  are  all  the 
appearances  of  pulmonary  consumption  or  the  charac- 
teristics of  decrepitude  joined  to  the  habits  and  pre- 
tensions of  youth. 

This  is  tlje  condition  of  the  confirmed  onanists.     It 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  59 

Moral  Degradation  even  Worse. 

is  true  that  every  case  does  not  present  all  the  evils 
described,  but  enough  has  been  said  to  enable  an  in- 
telligent observer  to  recognize  the  confirmed  onanist. 
The  downcast  and  averted  look  is  perhaps  the  most 
invariable  and  earliest  sign,  with  the  disposition  to 
solitude.  As  bad  as  the  plijsical  conditions  are,  the 
moral  degradation  is  worse.  The  characteristics  are 
the  loss  of  memory  and  intelligence,  morose,  an  une- 
qual disposition,  indifierence  to  pleasures  and  sports, 
mental  abstractions,  stupid  stolidity,  etc.  A  distin- 
guished German  physician,  Gottlieb  "Wogel,  gives  the 
ibllowing  truthful  picture:  "The  masturbator  gradu- 
ally loses  his  moral  faculties;  he  acquires  a  dull, 
silly,  listless,  embarrassed,  sad,  effeminate  exterior, 
lie  becomes  indolent,  averse  to  and  incapable  of  all 
intellectual  exertion;  all  presence  of  mind  deserts 
him;  he  is  discountenanced,  troubled,  inquiet;  when- 
ever he  finds  himself  in  company,  he  is  taken  by  sur- 
prise and  even  alarmed  if  required  simply  to  reply  to 
a  child's  question;  his  feeble  mind  succumbs  to  the 
lightest  task;  his  memory  daily  losing  more  and  more, 
be  is  unable  to  comprehend  the  most  common  things, 
or  connect  the  simplest  ideas;  the  greatest  means  and 
the  most  sublimevtalents  are  soon  exhausted;  previous- 


60  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Terrible  Picture  Drawn 

Ij  acquired  knowledge  is  forgotten;  the  most  exquis- 
ite intelligence  becomes  naught,  and  no  longer  bears 
fruit;  all  the  vivacity,  all  the  pride,  all  the  qualities 
of  the  spirit  by  which  these  unfortunates  formerly 
subjugated  or  attracted  their  equals,  abandon  them, 
and  leave  them  no  longer  aught  but  contempt;  the 
power  of  the  imagination  is  at  an  end  for  them;  pleas- 
ure no  longer  fawns  upon  them,  but  in  revenge,  all  that 
is  trouble  and  misfortune  in  the  world  seems  their 
portion. 

''  Inquietude,  dismay,  fear,  which  are  their  only  affec- 
tions, banish  every  agreeable  sensation  from  their 
minds. 

"The  last  crisis  of  melancholy,  and  the  most  fright- 
ful suggestions  of  despair  commonly  end  in  hastening 
the  death  of  these  unfortunates,  or  else  they  fall  into 
complete  apathy,  and  sunken  below  those  brutes  which 
have  the  least  instinct,  they  retain  only  the  figure  of 
their  race.  It  frequently  happens  that  the  most  com- 
plete folly  and  frenzy  are  manifest  from  tlie  first. 

"  Masturbators  are  dangerous  to  society.  Consider 
such  beings  bent  under  the  weight  of  crime  and  in- 
famy dragging  down  into  utter  darkness  every  par- 
ticle of  material  and   animal  life.      Sinning  against 


SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETT.  61 

DifTerent  Degrees  or  Punishment. 

God,  against  nature  and  against  himself — violating 
these  laws,  and  changing  liis  own  person  into  that  of 
the  beast — even  below  the  brute,  and  like  him  looks 
only  on  the  ground.  His  dull  and  stupid  glance  can 
no  longer  raise  it§elf  towards  heaven  ;  he  no,  longer 
dares  lift  his  miserable  brow  already  stamped  with  the 
seal  of  reprobation ;  he  descends  little  by  little  into 
death,  and  a  last  conclusive  crisis  comes  at  length, 
violently  to  close  this  strange  and  horrible  drama." 

Properly  only  a  small  number  die  in  this  manner, 
yet  those  who  persist  in  the  practice  will  sooner  or 
later  be  included.  Let  no  one  flatter  himself  that  he 
can  be  exempt  from  this  universal  law. 

There  is  no  exemption,  and  those  who  persist  will 
surely  die  the  most  horrible  of  deaths — and  those  who 
practice  it  to  a  limited  extent  will  be  punished  in  pro- 
portion to  their  crimes.  While  individuals  seem  to 
escape,  they  frequently  fall  victims  to  some  grave 
chronic  disease,  the  germs  of  which  they  owe  to  this 
detestable  vice. 

The  reformed  onanists  are  the  ones  that  fall  the  ear- 
liest in  severe  epidemics — as  cholera,  yellow  fever, 
etc., — by  reason  of  their  bad  antecedents,  and  the  de- 
teriorated condition  of  their  constitutions. 


62  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

■  Indulge  only  in  Wedlock. 

The  onlj  way  is  to  abstain  totally  from  this  degra- 
ding vice.  Every  indulgence  weakens  hope.  This  is 
true  of  all  bad  habits.  It  is  for  you  to  choose — a  liv- 
ing slavery  and  horrible  death,  or  long  life  and  happi- 
ness. Banish  all  unclean  thoughts,  and  indulge  only 
in  wedlock. 

Too  many  writers  on  these  subjects  have  discouraged 
these  victims,  and  in  many  instances  prevented  an  at- 
tempt at  reform.  This  is  all  wrong.  Not  one  existing 
case  in  one  hundred  but  what  will  yield  to  a  proper 
course  of  treatment.  This  quack  or  that  has,  perhaps, 
told  you  that  this  nostrum,  or  that  sold  only  by  him- 
self, was  your  only  hope.  Away  with  such  bosh  !  A 
determined  mind  and  a  wet  towel  will  accomplish 
more  than  all  the  nostrums  on  the  globe.  I  once  knew 
three  bed-ridden  brothers — splendid  fellows,  too, — who 
had  been  victims  five,  eight  and  twelve  years.  They 
are  all  well  now.  Cured  by  a  course  at  a  "  Water 
Cure." 

One  of  the  worst  masturbators  I  ever  knew  was 
married  at  forty,  and  is  now  a  healthy  and  happy  hus- 
band and  father.  Another,  who  seriously  contempla- 
ted castration  as  the  only  relief,  is  now  a  healthy  and 
thriving  lawyer. 


SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  63 

Indulge  only  in  Wedlock. 

O.  S.  Fowler,  in  his  matchless  work,  "Science  of 
Life,"  advises  all  victims  to  desist  at  once,  and  as  soon 
as  approximate  health  has  returned,  to  niarrj,  and  al- 
low a  moderate  and  natural  gratification  of  the  sex- 
ual desires  to  complete  the  restoration  of  health, 
which  it  will  surely  do  with  a  fair,  chance,  and  total 
abstinence  from  vice. 


6-i  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


7einale  Masturbation  the  Demon  of  Evil. 


PAET  lY. 

FEMALE  SELF-ABUSE. 

rpHE  brightest  sight  the  human  eye  can  rest  upon; 
the  sweetest  picture  the  human  mind  can  paint,  is 
a  bevy  of  happy  innocent  girls;  in  fact  they  are  consid- 
ered the  typical  representatives  of  innocence  and  pu- 
rity. Oh,  that  it  were  possible  to  always  keep  them 
thus!  but  the  demon  of  evil  is  always  abroad,  and 
even  these  little  flowers  of  humanity  must  feel  the 
sting  of  his  poisoned  dart;  that  too,  without  a  warning 
word  or  a  kind  friend  to  point  out  the  danger  until  it 
is,  often,  forever  too  late. 

"VYe  say  it  with  regret,  with  pain,  with  downright 
sorrow,  that  many,  alas  !  too  many  of  these  darling 
little  innocents  are  being  led  astray,  and  into  this 
most  contemptible  of  all  vices.  What  !  says  some 
fond  mother,  not  my  little  daughters.  It  must  be 
the  daughters  of  some  one  else.     No,  we    mean  your 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  65 

The  Shame  of  Discovery — Vice  Detected. 

daughters;  and  if  we  are  mistaken,  happy  will  it  be 
for  you  and  them.  The  little  girls  and  young  women 
are  dying  by  thousands;  going  into  declines;  suffer- 
ing from  a  hundred  ills,  all  because  they  are  victims 
of  this  detestable  vice,  and  their  mothers  are  so  blinded 
that  they  cannot  detect  it. 

Self-abuse  among  young  females  exists,  and  in 
treatment  of  maladies  many  physicians  seem  ignorant 
of  its  existence. 

All  young  girls  ailing  should  be  questioned,  their 
acts  carefully  scrutinized,  and  nothing  left  undone 
that  may  help  give  a  true  analysis  of  the  case. 

Physicians  should  have  these  things  in  mind  when 
called  upon  to  furnish  a  remedy  for  the  afflictions  of 
young  girls.  The  symptoms  by  which  self-abuse  are 
made  known,  are  :  emaciation;  pale  complexion; 
whiteness  of  the  teeth;  discoloration  around  the  eyes, 
which  are  sunken  and  dull;  inflated,  flabby,  discolored 
physiognomy;  general  feeling  of  languor,  and  oppres- 
sion and  panting  on  the  least  exertion: 

Boarding  and  day  schools  are  sources  of  untold  mis- 
chief. The  evidences  of  it  are  seen  in  letters  from 
twelve  and  fourteen-year-old  girls,  who  use  the  most 
extravagant,  gross  and  passionate  expressions.     Read- 


66  SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Origin  of  Many  Fema'.e  Diseases. 

ingtrasliy  novels,  and  the  clandestine  reading  of  im- 
pure books,  wliicli  latter  are  now  so  profuse  and  easily 
distributed,  render  the  work  of  corruption  more  cer- 
tain and  complete. 

The  genital  organs  are  capable  of  excessive  action, 
the  same  in  girls  as  with  boys.  The  young  are  always 
liable  to  find  out  this  source  of  morbid  pleasure,  and 
early  begin  to  exercise  themselves  for  self-gratification. 
Girls  are  often  led  to  this  by  a  kind  of  instinct.  The 
liabit  is  so  easily  acquired  and  practiced,  and  so  little 
suspected,  that  it  may  well  excite  astonishment  and 
alarm.  The  physicians  often  find  it  difficult  to  dis- 
cover the  cause  of  many  of  the  female  diseases  for 
wliich  they  are  called  to  prescribe.  AVithout  knowl- 
edge of  their  source,  they  prescribe  without  avail. 

The  beauty  of  form,  which  is  the  glory  of  females, 
is  too  often  impaired  by  this  secret  sin.  The  moral 
aspects  are  similar  to  those  seen  in  the  male  sex. 
The  absence  of  the  seminal  secretion  in  woman  fur- 
nishes no  reason  to  presume  that  this  practice  is  less 
ruinous  in  females  than  in  man.  The  facts  bear  us 
out  in  the  assertion  that  at  least  fifteen  cases  out  of 
every  twenty  of  "whites,"  are  the  effects  of  self- 
abuse;    and  that  chronic  inflammation  of  the  womb, 


SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  67 

Mental  and  Moral  Symptoms. 

SO   common,    most    frequently   owes    its    origin    to 
excesses  of  this  nature. 

A  single  case  of  self-abuse  will  bear  its  fruits  in 
the  corruption  of  others.  Hence  its  frequency  in 
those  places  where  the  young  are  gathered  together. 

Young  persons  who  prefer  solitude  should  be  sus- 
pected and  watched.  It  is  not  natural  for  a  sound 
person  to  be  alone.  The  genus  human  is  organized 
on  the  social  basis;  he  is  emphatically  a  social  being, 
and  loves  company.  The  solitary  habits  of  young 
people  should  be  noted  as  an  unfavorable  sign,  for 
self-abuse  leads  to  solitude.  The  practice  of  mastur- 
bation is  indulged  soon  after  retiring  or  just  before 
rising.  At  these  times  the  masturbator  may  be  sur- 
prised in  the  act.  Her  hands  are  always  under  cover, 
and  usually  she  prefers  to  hide  her  head  the  same 
way.  As  soon  as  she  touches  the  bed  she  becomes 
inflamed,  but  appears  in  a  profound  slumber.  This 
spell  should  be  broken,  when  suspicioned,  in  every 
case.  It  gives  assurance  of  something  wrong.  The , 
entire  covering  of  the  body  and  cuddling  of  the 
extremities  often  contributes  to  undue  excitement  of 
the  vital  organs.  This  pretended  sleep  often  serves 
to   betray   her.     When   taken  in   the   act,  she  may 


G8  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Solitary  Habits  Should  Awaken  Suspicion. 

appear  slightly  perturbed,  blush,  and  be  covered  with 
perspiration  not  warranted  by  the  temperature  of  the 
room  or  any  other  visible  cause. 

This  practice  prevails  in  alarming  ratio  among  fac- 
tory operatives.  Even  the  daughters  of  the  best  edu- 
cated have  been  placed  in  insane  asylums  on  account 
of  it. 

Little  girls  under  twelve  years  of  age  are  often  seen 
playing  with  their  mates,  who  most  of  the  time  have 
their  hands  under  their  clothes  upon  their  vital  parts. 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  girls  who  have, 
physically  and  mentally,  become  impaired  by  this 
worst  of  sins.  Nature  never  intended  that  our  young 
women,  who  have  been  furnished  with  good  bodies, 
and  fine  complexions,  should  become  dwarfed  and 
pallor-stricken,  even  before  raid-life.  One  of  the 
greatest  dangers  which  beset  young  women,  is  that  of 
lascivious  thoughts,  which  seem  to  come  unbidden, 
and  which  if  encouraged,  tempt  to  immoral  acts. 
Many  a  young  woman  is  made  nervous  and  feverish 
by  entertaining  lewd  thoughts.  This  feverish  excite- 
ment wears  out  the  nervous  system,  and  shuts  out  the 
noblest  elements  of  womanhood.  Great  efforts  should 
be  made  to  overcome  this  voluptuous  reverie. 


SECKET    SlJfS   OF    SOCIETY.  09 

Different  Cases— Virgin  Purity. 

"We  could  give  instances  without  number  of  differ- 
ent cases  reported,  to  show  the  prevalence  and  destruc- 
tive nature  of  this  vice  among  girls.  We  have  said 
enough  we  think  to  startle  parents,  and  arouse  their 
precaution  against  it.  Yirgin  purity  is  beyond  price, 
and  to  preserve  it  at  all  hazaras  should  be  our  aim. 


70  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


Sexuality  of  Animals. 


PAKT .  Y. 

THE  SOLITARY  VICE— SEXUAL  POVERTY. 

"jITAN  is  the  highest  type  of  animal  life.  He  is  en- 
dowed  with  greater  capacity  and  power,  and  if  he 
had  always  lived  a  perfect  life  he  would  transcend  the 
lower  animals  as  much  sexually  as  he  does  in  mental 
and  moral  gifts.  Seldom  do  we  find  signs  of  impaired 
gender  in  the  voices  of  animals,  while  man's,  with 
very  few  exceptions,  is  husky  and  broken. 

The  voices  of  animals  are  true  to  the  gender  of 
the  species,  while  the  voice  of  man  is  resounding  in 
every  key  of  the  gamut,  from  end  to  end  of  the  scale. 
Some  voices  are  piping  while  others  are  clamorous — 
the  most  of  them  are  unnatural.  In  voice  and  form 
the  females  are  in  a  worse  condition. 

Few  men  are  straight  in  body,  strong  of  limb,  com- 
manding in  appearance.  Few  women  are  robust, 
blithe  and  gracious.     Fine  specimens  of  manhood  are 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  71 

Female  Forms— Male  Forms 

uncommon,  and  the  physical  state  of  our  women  is 
alt(jgel:her  alarming.  Their  organs  of  reproduction 
are  weakened,  the  frame  bent,  and  all  the  parts  seem 
reaJy  to  collapse.  In  addition  to  tliis,  the  mind  is 
"  il!  at  ease,"  and  the  soul  is  in  misery. 

The  sexual  ailment  is  the  great  evil  of  the  social 
body.  Signs  of  it  may  be  seen  by  any  observing  per- 
son. Blanched  faces  and  changed  color  about  the 
eyes,  are  everywhere  to  be  taken  as  evidence  of  this 
disease.  Emissions  during  the  hours  of  sleep,  or 
steady  vent  day  and  niglit,  prove  destructive  to  health 
and  comfort  of  the  single  men.  Married  men  are  re- 
duced by  this  same  cause.  Marriage  is  not  proof 
against  this  disability.  When  it  takes  hold  it  runs  on 
through  all  the  ages  of  man.  It  has  a  firm  grip  on 
the  vitals  of  the  societary  body,  and  holds  on  with  the 
might  of  an  inveterate  foe.  The  liveliest  imagina- 
tioii  fails  to  measure  the  mag-nitude  of  this  evil.  Be-  ! 
fore  this  incubus  the  genius  of  man  and  the  loveli-  ' 
ness  of  woman  vanishes  as  the  elements  before  the 
magician's  wand.  Poor,  short-lived  man  !  Where  is 
your  command  of  wisdom,  your  knowledge  of  holi- 
ness? 

The  habit  of  self-pollution,  now  almost  universal, 


72  SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Sexual  Ailments— Its  Demoralizing  Evils. 

is  tlie  bitter  curse  of  society.  All  points  of.  ISTature's 
great  law  of  health  and  beauty  are  violated  in  the 
people's  practical  life.  "Witness  on  every  hand,  in  all 
houses,  the  wreck  of  mind  and  matter  in  the  persons 
of  cherished  ones.  "Were  it  not  shocking  and  hard  on 
false  pride,  very  many  boys  and  girls  would  admit 
their  experiences  in  this  respect.  This  is  just  what 
they  ought  to  do,  and  pray  for  relief.  Many  students 
in  institutions  of  learning  are  without  reason  in  the 
premises,  and  practice  masturbation  without  realizing 
that  it  is  a  crime  against  Nature  and  fatal  to  physical 
life. 

How  many  will  say  they  do  not  practice  this  habit, 
but  show  their  guilt  in  some  other  way.  It  is  a  fruit- 
ful source  of  ill-health  among  our  young  men.  Those 
in  charge  of  hospitals,  and  the  physicians  generally, 
will  admit  this  fact.  A  spoonful  of  semen  is  worth 
more  to  the  body  than  a  ladle  of  blood  from  the  heart. 
By  the  loss  of  semen  the  vitality  of  the  system  is  re- 
duced in  the  ratio  of  forty  to  one.  At  this  rate,  the 
victim  of  masturbation  must  succumb  in  the  earlier 
years  of  manhood. 

No  matter  how  robust  tlie  constitution,  it  must  on- 
ly a  little  later  on  give  waj'  to  this  waste.     Those  not 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  73 

The  Wasting  of  Vitality -Seminal  Lo-ses. 

naturally  strong  must  speedily  run  down  in  mind  and 
body  beyond  all  hope  of  relief.  The  vitality  of  the 
body  requires  thought  and  care  for  its  supply  and 
waste.  Seminal  losses  draw  at  the  fountain-head  of 
life,  and  open  the  way  for  other  diseases.  Thus  the 
whole  being  becomes  demoralized  after  puberty  in  the 
persons  of  young  men  on  account  of  this  vile  habit. 
Those  in  the  vio:or  of  manhood  lose  their  enero-v  and 
relish  of  life  by  too  frequent  discharges  of  this  vital 
element.  TJiere  is  no  greater  cause  of  insanity.  It 
reduces  the  power  of  digestion,  and  puts  the  stamp 
of  disease  in  the  system.  The  ills  bred  by  it  are  con- 
sumption, spinal  complaints,  aching  eyes,  nervous 
headache,  and  other  forms  of  disease. 

Constipation  is  caused  by  it,  as  also  sour  stomach, 
flatulence,  liver  trouble,  morbidity  and  melancholy. 
Self- pollution  of  parents  is  seen  years  afterward  in 
children  which  die  of  summer  complaints  in  infancy. 
By  this  means  tbe  unborn  are  cheated  out  of  their 
birth-rights. 

It  stupefies  the  brain  and  the  faculties  of  the  whole 
being.  It  casts  a  shadow  over  the  life,  and  renders 
the  person  unfit  for  social  contact.  It  drives  out  the 
natural  vivacity  of  human  nature,  and  fills  the  void 


74  SECEET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Causes  of  Insanity. 

with  bad  impulses.  It  creates  moroseness — confuses 
the  thoughts — fires  the  temper.  As  a  cause  of  iu- 
saiiitj  it  is  most  active.  lu  a  Massachusetts  insane 
asylum,  in  1838,  twentj'^-four  out  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  males,  were  confined  there  as  victims  of 
this  secret  vice.  The  Worcester  asylum,  in  1836,  re- 
ported, as  most  prolific  causes  of  insanity,  the  habits 
of  intemperance  and  masturbation.  Dr.  "Woodward 
Bays  of  this  latter,  that  "  no  cause  is  more  influential 
in  producing  insanity." 

The  condition  of  men  who  are  joined  to  this  prac- 
tice is  deplorable  in  the  extreme.  They  are  worse  off 
than  those  who  live  on  the  common  plane  of  the 
prostitute.  Undue  excitement  of  the  vital  organs 
creates  restive  and  feverish  conditions  in  the  whole 
system.  It  saps  the  vital  principle,  and  the  body 
dwindles  to  a  mere  shell,  all  brightness  about  it 
being  vitiated.  As  with  a  millstone  about  the  neck, 
the  victim  is  drawn  under  the  current  and  disappears 
from  view.  With  alarm  many  splendid  young  men 
indulging  this  habit  will  sometime  cry  out,  "My 
God!  what  shall  I  dp?  I  am  going  mad!" — as  in 
the  case  of  one  who  was  driven  to  insanity  by  it. 
They  may  give  all  they  have  for  what  they  have  lost. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  75 

It  Destroys  the  Matrimonial  Sentiment, 

and  then  not  find  it.  Think  of  this,  young  men,  — 
you  who  have  commenced  this  sin  in  moderate  de- 
gree. Halt  wliere  you  are,  that  you  may  be  saved 
from  the  abomination.  It  creates  sexual  nausea,  and 
destroys  the  desire  for  marriage.  It  hinders  natural 
growth  of  the  sexual  organs  in  both  sexes,  as  it  ban- 
ishes the  spirit  which  made  them.  The  vital  organs 
are  priori  love  organs.  Back  of  tliese  the  love  ele- 
ment dwells.  That  which  weakens  the  love  element, 
reacts  against  the  orijans  of  love.  And  this  is  usuallv 
the  cause  of  the  difficult  menstruation  among  young 
girls  of  the  present  day.  It  brings  to  youtli  the  lan- 
guor of  age.  It  detracts  from  all  the  high  moral 
qualities  of  manhood,  and  all  that  is  beautiful  in 
woman.  It  is  the  Wight  of  graciousness  and  refine- 
ment. It  destroys  dignity  and  personal  excellence. 
It  does  away  with  female  loveliness,  and  makes  light 
of  purity.  It  develops  vulgarity  in  both  sexes.  Its 
efiect  upon  the  young  is  similar  to  that  of  emascula- 
tion on  animals:  they  are  stripped  of  the  glory  of  sex, 
and  laid  under  the  ban  of  insignificance;  they  be- 
come inefficient,  careless,  and  unfortunate  in  design 
and  action.  The  vice  breeds  all  manner  of  trouble, 
from  pain  to  poverty.     It  makes  social  drones,  as  it 


76  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Transmitting  Period— Need  of  Timely  Knowledge. 

paralyzes  the  faculties  and  powers.  It  kills,  often 
beyond  resurrection,  the  natural  sweetness  of  disposi- 
tion in  girlhood,  changes  the  voice,  and  dwarfs  the 
bodj'.  It  exhausts  the  fine  love-nature  of  girls,  and 
the  interest  which  they  have  in  their  kind.  It  makes 
a  laughing-stock  of  the  female  sex  and  virtue.  It 
takes  from  girls  their  delicacy,  and  leaves  them  at  the 
mercy  of  impulse,  blinded"  by  ignorance.  It  makes 
girlhood  dull  and  uninteresting,  causes  aversion  to 
matrimony,  and  increases  the  number  of  celibates. 

In  relation  to  early  sexual  association,  it  cannot  be 
doubted,  that  when  the  instinct  of  reproduction  begins 
to  be  developed,  the  reserve  which  parents,  relatives, 
and  guardians  adopt  on  this  subject,  is  often  the 
means  of  producing  injurious  effects,  because  a  system 
of  concealment  on  this  subject,  as  observed  in  a  pre- 
ceding chapter,  is  quite  impracticable.  Discoveries 
made  by  young  persans  in  obscene  books,  the  un- 
guarded language  or  shameless  conduct  of  grown  up 
persons,  have  the  most  fatal  consequences. 

Parents  and  teachers  ought,  therefore,  at  the  earliest 
period,  to  give  rational  explanations  as  to  the  motive 
of  the  object  of  the  sexual  functions,  the  mechanism 
of  reproduction  in   various  vegetable  and  animal  be- 


SECRET   SIjXS   OF   SOCIETY.  7Sy 

Sacred  Duty  of  Parents— Drain  of  Vital  Forcea. 

iugs,  and  the  fatal  consequences  to  which  the  abuse  of 
these  functions  may  lead.  In  doing  this  it  would  be 
as  stupid  as  injurious  to  employ  the  slightest  degree 
of  false  representation,  or  even  what  is  called  moral- 
izing, which  is  only  the  contemptible  cant  of  beings 
who  cannot  reason.  Young  persons  should  avoid  the 
evils  of  licentiousness. 

Keep  the  imagination  from  impure  thoughts. 
Characters  are  ruined,  homes  made  desolate,  and  fond 
hearts  broken,  by  this  negligence.  Keep  your  self- 
respect  at  all  times  in  your  mind;  mingle  not  in  im- 
pure places.  Many  a  young  person  indulges  their 
imagination  in  wandering  where  tliey  cannot  follow 
in  person  ;  in  hearing  what  they  dare  not  tell  ;  in 
seeing  what  shame  would  forbid  them  to  disclose  ;  and 
in  seeking  what  modesty  would  blush  to  reveal. 
These  flights  of  unbridled  fancy  cannot  be  indulged  in 
with  safety  ;  they  are  the  prolific  source  of  crime  and 
sin,  and  shame,  and  he  who  supposes  that  such  hu- 
moring of  the  imagination  is  not  wrong,  may  and 
probably  will,  live  to  repent  of  its  gratification. 
This  vice  cannot  be  stayed  by  ignorance.  Parents 
have  an  utter  disregard  for  their  duty,  who  do  not  warn 
their  children  in  time  to  save  thein  from  destruction. 


78  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Hi 

Cause  of  Nervous  Ailments. 


!No  cause  produces  so  much  insanity  as  is  attested 
by  the  catalogues  of  our  institutions.  The  brain  and 
nerves  are  the  instruments  of  the  mind,  and  all  our 
capacities  come  through  them.  They  are  indirectly  in 
sympathy  with  the  sexual  organs,  so  that  self-abuse  is 
most  fatal  to  sensation  and  intellect.  It  causes  more 
nervous  ailments  than  all  other  causes  combined.  It 
renders  its  victims  morbid,  confused,  and  hardly  con- 
scious of  what  they  do,  wild  with  false  excitement,  and 
trembling  all  over  on  slight  occasions.  Every  indul- 
gence weakens  hope,  and  is  like  rowing  down  the 
Niagara  rapids,  instead  of  towards  their  banks.  Now 
is  the  accepted  time  to  stop,  and  stop  short.  Some 
advise  occasional  enjoyment,  (Ijut  it  should  be  con- 
demned, as  every  indulgence  augments  passion  and 
weakens  resistance^  If  you  cannot  stop  now  you  never 
can.  [{Summon  ever}^  energy — adopt  at  once  perfect 
continence;  it  is  your  only  hopeTu  Why  will  you  go 
on  when  you  know  that  a  life  of   misery  awaits  you? 

Will  you,  for  this  low-lived,  animal  gratification, 
give  up  all  your  intellectual  endowments  and  physical 
powers?  Stop  now,  or  you  are  ruined  forever,  and  no 
power  on  earth  can  save  you.  ^Flee  at  once  to  j^erfect 
continence — your  only  city  of  refuge^    Look  not  back 


SECKET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  79 

Indulgence  ia  utter  ruin — The  Pledge  of  Chastity. 

toward  Sodom,  lest  you  die.  "Why  will  you  go  on  to 
suicide?  O  son  and  daughter  of  sensuality,  are  you 
of  no  value?  Snatch  the  priceless  gem  of  3^our  natures 
from  its  impending  destraction.  Indulgence  is  utter 
ruin.  [Ahstinence  or  death  is  your  only  alterna- 
tivej  Stop  now  and  forever,  or  abandon  all  hope. 
Which  do  you  choose?  "Which  path  do  you  take? 
Up  or  down?  If  down,  "Good-bye;"  if  up,  here 
is  your  life-long  pledge  and  anchor  of  hope.  Here 
alone,  and  known  only  to  myself  and  my  Maker, 
with  the  dreadful  past  stretching  back  into  past  indis- 
cretions, with  a  dark  and  yawning  chasm  before  me 
on  the  one  hand,  and  a  bright  sunny  landscape  on  the 
other;  with  the  life-throb  still  resounding  through  my 
vitals;  with  the  breath  of  life  still  trying  to  sustain 
me — and  better  still,  with  the  vital  spark  of  intellect 
still  unclouded — shattered  though  I  am,  loathsome  in 
the  sight  of  man  and  lowered  in  the  sight  of  God  ; 
realizing  my  weakness,  and  praying  for  a  return  of 
strength,  I  pledge  mysef  to  total  abstinene  from 
sexual  abuse.  I  promise  to  turn  my  face  toward  the 
sunny  fields  of  right,  and  hope  the  horrors  of  the  past 
may  never  rise  before  me  except  to  warn  me  not  to 
weaken  in  this  holy  resolve.     I  take  this  pledge  in  all 


so  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

When  and  How  Should  Youth  Learn  Sexual  Truths 

sincerity  ;  I  know  it  is  my  only  hope  ;  I  will  keep  it 
inviolate.  I  will  banish  all  unclean  thoughts  and 
feelings,  and  indulge  only  in  holy  wedlock.  I  will 
again  press  forward  in  the  road  of  intellectual  attain- 
ment and  moral  progression,  and  all  the  more  eager 
because  of  this  hindrance.  I  drop  but  this  one  tear 
over  the  past,  and  then  bury  both  my  sin  and  shame 
in  future  efforts  of  self-improvement  and  labors  of 
love.  I  yet  will  rise.  As  mourning  over  my  fall 
does  not  restore,  but  unnerves  resolution  and  cripples 
effort,  I  cast  the  mantle  of  forgetfulness  over  the  past — 
have  now  to  do  only  with  the  future — but  must  not 
remain  a  moment  passive  or  idle.  I  have  a  great 
work  before  me,  to  repair  my  shattered  constitution, 
which  is  the  work,  not  of  a  day,  but  the  remainder  of 
my  life  ;  and  also  recover  my  mental  and  moral 
standing,  and  if  possible,  to  soar  higher  still, 

"And  departing,  leave  behind  me 
Footprints  in  the  sands  of  time." 

There  is  a  best  time  for  youth  to  get  sexual  knowl- 
edge. "What  principle  proclaims  it  ?  Is  the  policy 
of  allowing  them  to  learn  as  little  and  late  as  pos- 
sible the  true  one?  The  existing  amount  of  sexual 
depravity  utters  an  appalling  ITo,  and   its  condemna- 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  81 

Teachers  Responsibility. 

tion  is  terrific.  Any  change  must  needs  be  for  the 
the  bettei*.  Ignorance  might  be  bliss  if  it  suppressed 
this  feeling,  which  is  there  equally  with  and  without 
it.  Knowledge  can  guide  and  sanctify,  but  ignorance 
can  neither  extirpate  nor  materially  lessen  this  burn- 
ing faculty.  Nature  compels  children  to  learn  some- 
time and  somehow  ;  if  not  by  books  and  teachers, 
then  by  "  sad  experience,"  but  at  all  events  they  cannot 
remain  in  ignorance.  Then  had  they  not  better  learn 
sexual  truths  as  they  learn  other  lessons,  from  books 
and  by  the  aid  of  competent  instructors? 

Teachers  in  the  public  schools  dare  not  even  hint 
at  these  things,  because  ignorant  directors  and  pa- 
rents would  howl,  Obscenity  !  Indecency  !  Yul- 
garity  !  The  minister  in  the  pulpit  would  rather 
risk  his  life  than  endanger  his  reputation  by  broach- 
ing this  "  tabooed  "  subject. 

The  uneducated  mother  and  father  do  not  feel  qual- 
ified to  instruct  their  children*in  this  respect,  and  as 
likely  as  not  are  still  tainted  with  similar  vices,  while 
the  educated  are  oftentimes  prevented  by  a  sickly 
prudery.  Meanwhile  the  poor  little  innocents  suffer 
on  and  grow  into   a  lil^   of  sickness,    sorrow,  shame 

and  insanity. 

6  /i%T/^ 


83  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Parents  should  Impart  Sexual  Law  to  their  Children. 

Teachers,  if  von  love  hiiinanitj,  urge  the  mothers 
and  fathers  of  yonr  little  flock  to  not  only  allow  jou 
to  instruct  them,  but  to  assist  you.  Ministers,  if 
right  is  right  and  wrong  is  wrong,  and  you  are  har- 
nessed in  the  fight  against  evil,  quietly  urge  your 
parishioners  at  some  special  meeting  to  look  after  this 
important  lesson.  Parents,  if  you  love  your  little 
ones  and  desire  their  purity,  health,  and  success  in 
life,  throw  all  diffidence  to  the  winds,  and  do  your 
duty  from  now  henceforward;  and  if  you  do  not  feel 
qualified,  ask  your  physician  to  secure  you  a  good 
work  on  this  important  subject,  and  when  secured, 
study  it  carefully,  and  you   will  never  hesitate  again. 

Knowledge  should  precede  practice  in  ail  depart- 
ments. Knowledge  of  law  should  precede  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  Knowledge  of  medicine  should  precede 
the  practice  of  medicine.  Knowledge  of  the 
arts  should  precede  the  practice  of  the  arts.  So 
should  knowledge  of  the  sexual  organs  precede  the 
earliest  possible  use  or  abuse  of  them.  Puberty 
brings  this  experience,  and  should  be  preceded  by 
sexual  instruction.  Could  anything  be  clearer  ?  Has 
this  reasoning  any  flaw  ?  This  amatory  sentiment 
should  be  educated  as  fast  as  nature  develops  it.  This 
conclusion  can  neither  be  o^ainsaid  nor  resisted. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  83 

Sexual  Education  of  Girls— Duty  of  Eight-minded  People. 

To  the  sexual  education  of  girls  these  principles  ap- 
ply with  redoubled  force.  At  what  age  do  you  wish 
your  parents  or  instructors  had  taught  you  ?  Teach 
your  children  earlier  than  that ;  for  children  of  to-day 
develop  younger  than  in  your  day,  and  know  ten 
times  more  than  you  give  them  credit  for. 

Professor  William  Denton,  in  his  lecture  on  intem- 
perance, touches  this  and  other  branches  of  intemper- 
ance fearlessly,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  see  how  well  the 
people  are  beginning  to  stand  it. 

All  adults  should  teach  and  guard  juveniles;  every 
youth  should  be  precious  to  all  adults.  If  parents  do 
not  warn  and  save  them,  others  should.  Every  adult 
member  of  every  community  is  under  special  obliga- 
tions to  preserve  all  juveniles;  all  elders  should  try 
to  save  all  juniors.  If  any  one  knows  any  special 
means  better  than  any  otlier,  then  let  that  means  be 
known,  and  let  all  right-minded  people  unite  and  re- 
solve themselves  into  a  "committee  of  the  whole"  on 
the  preservation  of  our  youth.  Those  who  are  older 
and  reckless  in  vice,  have  taught  these  little  ones  the 
wrong;  then  let  all  attempt  to  snatch  these  precious 
brands  from  this  terrible  burning.  Editors,  you  too 
have  something  to  do  in  this  respect.     Do  not  think 


84  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Efforts  to  Save  the  Sexually  Fallen. 

your  duty  done  by  admitting  the  foul  and  corrupting; 
"  ads.  "  of  a  few  specialists.  The  people  want  pre- 
vention, not  medicine;  instruction,  not  ridicule.  See 
that  you  do  your  duty. 

It  is  the  protection  of  the  innocent  little  ones,  by 
preventing  the  sowing  of  seeds  of  vice,  that  this  chap- 
ter has  to  deal,  and  not  with  the'eure  of  the  confirmed 
masturbator  of  either  sex;  that  must  be  left  for 
another  chapter — the  all-important  pledge  of  total  ab- 
stinence being  the  first  great  step;  but  inasmuch  as  it 
is  infinitely  harder  to  reclaim  the  inebriate  than  to 
train  the  child  in  temperance,  so  must  the  efibrts  be 
correspondingly  greater  to  save  the  person  who  is 
sexually  fallen.  The  hopes  of  the  nation  for  a  great 
and  general  temperance  reform,  lie  not  in  legislation 
as  much  as  in  education;  so  too  the  hope  of  a  purer 
minded,  better  sexed,  healthier  race  of  people,  lies  in 
the  proper  education  and  training  of  our  precious  boys 
and  girls;  and  may  an  army  of  wise  teachers  rise  up  to 
assist,  and  a  nation  of  little  ones  heed  and  cherish  the 
lessons  taught,  is  the  wish  and  prayer  of  every  true 
philanthropist. 


SECRET    SIXS  OF    SOCIETY. 


What  Mankind  Require. 


PAET  YI. 

GENERATION. 

npHE  subject  of  generation  is  not  only  interesting  as 
-'-  a  branch  of  science,  but  it  is  so  connected  with  the 
happiness  of  mankind  that  it  is  highly  important  in  a 
practical  point  of  view.  Such,  to  be  sure,  is  the  cus- 
tom of  the  age,  that  it  is  not  considered  a  proper  sub- 
ject to  investigate  before  a  popular  assembly,  nor  is 
it  proper  to  attend  to  the  calls  of  nature  in  alike  place; 
yet  they  must  and  ought  to  be  attended  to,  for  the 
good,  the  happiness  of  mankind  require  it;  so,  too,  for 
like  reason  the  subject  of  generation  ought  to  be  in- 
vestigated unlil  it  be  rightly  understood  by  all  people, 
but  at  such  opportunities  as  the  good  sense  of  every 
individual  will  easily  decide  to  be  proper.  This  we 
presume  to  say,  not  simply  upon  the  abstract  princi- 
ple that  all  knowledge  of  nature's  workings  is  useful, 
and  the  want  of  it   disadvantacjeous,  but  from    the 


85  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

What  Mankind  Require. 

known  moral  fact  that  ignorance  of  this  pro  cess  has 
in  many  instances  proved  the  cause  of  a  lamentable 
"  mishap,"  and  more  especially  as  it  is  essential  to 
the  attainment  of  the  great  advantages  which  it  is  the 
chief  object  of  this  work  to  bestow  upon  mankind. 

People  generally,  as  it  was  the  case  with  physicians 
until  late  years,  entertain  a  very  erroneous  idea  of 
what  takes  place  in  the  conception. 

Hence  it  is  necessary  to  correct  a  long  held  and 
widely  extended  error.  But  this  we  cannot  expect  to 
do  by  simply  saying  it  is  an  error.  Deeply  rooted  and 
hitherto  undisputed  opinions  are  not  so  easily  eradi- 
cated. If  we  would  convince  any  one  that  the  steps 
in  one  of  the  most  recondite  processes  of  nature  are  not 
such  as  he  has  always  believed,  it  will  greatly  serve 
my  purpose  to  show  what  these  steps  are.  We  must  first 
prepare  him  to  be  reasoned  with,  and  then  reason  the 
matter  all  over  with  him.  "We  must  point  out  the 
fact  which  disprove  his  opinion,  and  show  that  our 
own  is  unattended  with  difficulties. 

But  what  can  be  more  obvious  than  that  it  is  abso- 
lutely impossible  to  explain  any  process  or  function 
of  the  animal  economy,  so  as  to  be  understood,  before 
the  names  of  the  organs  which  perform  this  function 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  87 

Function  of  the  Animal  Economy. 

have  been  defined,  that  is,  before  the  or;^ans  them- 
selves have  been  described.  !N"ow  it  is  well  known  to 
every  anatomist,  and  indeed  it  may  be  obvious  to  all, 
that  in  describino^  any  organ  or  system  of  organs,  M'e 
must  always  begin  with  some  external  and  known 
parts,  and  proceed  regularly,  step  by  step,  to  the  inter- 
nal and  unknown.  As  in  aritlimetic,  "everything 
must  be  understood  as  vou  go  alono'." 

Fully  to  effect  the  object  of  this  work,  it  is  there- 
fore a  matter  of  necessity  that  we  give  an  anatomical 
description  of  certain  parts — even  external  parts — 
which  some,  but  for  what  I  have  just  said,  might  think 
it  useless  to  mention.  It  is  not  to  gratify  the  idle  curi- 
osity of  the  light-minded  that  this  book  is  written ;  it  is 
for  utility  in  the  broad, and  truly  philosophical  sense  of 
the  term;  nay, farther,  it  shall,  with  the  exception  of 
here  and  there  a  little  spicing,  be  confined  to  practical 
utility.  We  shall  therefore  endeavor  to  treat  of  the 
subject  in  this  chapter  so  as  to  be  understood,  without 
giving  any  description  of  the  male  organs  of  genera- 
tion; though  I  hold  it  an  accomplishment  for  one  to 
be  able  to  speak  of  those  organs,  as  diseases  often  put 
them  under  the  necessity  of  doing,  without  being  qpm- 
pelled  to  use  low  and  vulirar  language.     But  we  must 


8S  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Female  Organs  Described. 

Lrieflj  descril)e  the  female  organs;  in  doing  which,  Ave 
mast,  of  course,  speak  as  do  other  anatomists  and 
physiologists;  and  whoever  objects  to  this  will  dis- 
cover more  affectation  and  prudery  than  good  sense 
and  good  will  to  mankind. 

The  adipose  or  fatty  matter  immediately  over  the 
share-bone,  forms  a  considerable  prominence  in 
females,  which  at  the  age  of  puberty  is  covered  with 
hair,  as  in  males.  This  prominence  is  called  Mons 
Veneris. 

The  exterior  orifice  commences  immediately  below 

this.     On  each  side  of  this   orifice   is   a   prominence 

continued  from  the  mons   veneris,   wliich   is  largest 

above  and  gradually  diminishes  as  it  descends.     These 

two   prominences   are  called  the  Labia   Externa,  or 

external  lips.     ITear  the  latter  end  of  pregnancy  they 

become  somewhat  enlarged  and  relaxed,  so  that  they 

sustain  little  or  no  injury  during  parturition.     Just 

within  the  upper  or   anterior  commissure,  formed  by 

• 
the  junction  of  these  lips,  a  little  round  oblong  body 

is  situated.     The  body  is  called  the  clitoris.     Most  of 

its  length  is  bound  down,  as  it  were,  pretty  closely  to 

the  bone;  and  it  is  of  very  variable  size  in  different 

females.     Instances  have   occurred    where   it   was    so 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  89 

Principal  Seat  of  Pleasure. 

enlarged  as  to  allow  the  female  to  liave  venereal  com- 
merce with  others;  and  in  Paris  this  fact  was  once 
made  a  public  exliibition  of  to  the  medical  faculty. 
"Women  thus  formed  appear  to  partake  in  their 
general  form  of  the  male  character,  and  are  termed 
hermaphrodites.  The  idea  of  human  beings  called 
hermaphrodites,  which  could  be  either  father 
or  mother,  is  doubtless  erroneous.  The  clitoris  is 
analogous  in  its  structure  to  the  penis,  and  like 
it,  is  exquisitively  sensitive,  being  as  it  is  sup- 
posed, the  principal  seat  of  pleasure.  It  is  subject  to 
erection  or  distension,  like  the  penis,  from  like  causes. 

The  skin  which  lines  the  internal  surface  of  the  ex- 
ternal lips  is  folded  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  two  flat 
bodies,  the  exterior  edges  of  which  are  convex.  They 
are  called  the  nymphse.  They  extend  downwards,  one 
on  each  side,  from  the  clitoris  to  near  the  middle  of 
the  external  orifice,  somewhat  diverging  from  each 
other.  Their  use  is  not  very  evident.  The  orifice  of 
the  urethra  (the  canal,  short  in  females,  which  leads  to 
the  bladder)  is  situated  an  inch  or  more  further  inward 
than  the  clitoris,  and  is  a  little  protuberant. 

Passing  by  the  external  lips,  the  clitoris,  the  nj'm- 
phse,  and  the  orifice  of  the  urethra,  we  come  to  the 


90  SECKET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Menstrual  Fluid. 

membrane  called  the  hymen.  It  is  situated  just  at  or 
a  trifle  behind  the  orifice  of  the  urethra.  It  is  stretched 
across  the  passage,  and  were  it  a  complete  septum,  it 
would  close  up  the  anterior  extremity  of  that  portion 
of  the  passage  which  is  called  the  vagina.  But  the 
instances  in  which  the  septum  or  partition  is  complete 
are  very  rare,  there  being  in  almost  all  cases  an  aper- 
ture either  in  its  centre  or  more  frequently  in  its  an- 
terior edo:e,  ffivino;  the  meinbrane  the  form  of  a  cres- 
cent.  Through  this  aperture  passes  the  menstrual 
fluid.  Sometimes,  however,  this  septum  is  complete, 
and  the  menstrual  fluid  is  retained  month  after  month, 
until  appearances  and  symptoms  much  like  those  of 
pregnancy  are  produced,  giving  rise  perhaps  to  unjust 
suspicions.  Such  cases  require  the  simple  operation 
of  dividing  the  hjnnen.  In  many  instances  the  hy- 
men is  very  imperfect,  insomuch  that  some  have 
doubted  whether  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  generality  of 
virgins.  "Where  it  exists,  it  is  generally  ruptured  in 
the  first  intercourse  of  the  sexes,  and  the  female  is 
said  to  lose  her  virginity.  In  some  rare  instances  it 
is  so  very  strong  as  not  to  be  ruptured  by  such  inter- 
course, and  the  nature  of  the  difliculty  not  being  un- 
derstood, the  husband  has  sued  for  a  divorce.     But 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  91 

Imperfect  Hymen — Uterus,  where  Situated 

everything  maj^  be  put  to  rights  by  a  slight  surgical 
operation.  The  parts  here  described  are  among  those 
called  the  external  parts  of  generation. 

The  internal  organs  of  generation  consist  in  tlie 
female,  of  tlie  vagina,  the  uterus,  tlie  ovaries  and 
their  appendages. 

The  vagina  is  a  membranous  canal,  commencing  at 
the  hymen  and  extending  to  the  uterus.  It  is  a  little 
curved,  and  extends  backwards  and  upward  between 
the  bladder,  which  lies  before  and  above  it,  and  that 
extreme  portion  of  the  bowels  called  the  rectum, 
which  lies  behind  it.  The  coat  of  membrane  which 
lines  the  internal  surface  of  the  vagina  forms  a  nuni- 
ber  of  transverse  ridges.  The  ridges  are  to  be  found 
only  in  the  lower  or  anterior  half  of  the  vagina,  and 
they  do  not  extend  all  around  the  vagina,  but  are  situ- 
ated on  its  anterior  and  posterior  sides,  while  their 
lateral  sides  are  smooth. 

The  uterus  or  womb  is  also  situated  betvreen  the 
bladder  and  the  rectum,  but  above  the  vagina.  Such 
is  its  shape  that  it  has  been  compared  to  a  pear  with 
a  long  neck.  There  is,  of  course,  considerable  differ- 
ence between  the  body  and  the  neck,  the  first  being 
twice  as    broad  as   the  last.     Eacli    of  these  parts  is 


92  SECRET    SIISIS    OF   SOOIETY. 

Fallopian  Tubes. 

somewhat  flattened.  In  subjects  of  mature  age  who 
have  never  been  pregnant,  the  whole  of  the  uterus  is 
about  two  inches  and  a  half  in  length,  and  more  than 
an  incii  and  a  half  in  breadth  at  the  broadest  part  of 
the  body.  It  is  near  an  inch  in  thickness.  The  neck 
of  the  uterus  is  situated  downwards,  and  may  be  said 
to  be  inserted  into  the  upper  extremity  of  the  vagina. 
It  extends  down  into  the  vagina  the  better  part  of  an 
inch.  In  the  uterus  is  a  cavity  which  ap]>roaches 
the  triangular  form,  and  from  which  a  canal  passes 
down  through  the  neck  of  the  uterus  into  the  vagina. 
This  cavity  is  so  small  that  its  sides  are  almost  in  con- 
tact. So  that  the  uterus  is  a  thick,  firm  organ  for  so 
small  a  one.  Comparing  the  cavity  of  the  uterus  to  a 
triangle,  we  say  the  upper  side  or  line  of  this  triangle 
is  transverse  with  respect  to  the  body,  and  the  otiier 
two  lines  pass  downwards  and  inward,  so  that  they 
would  form  an  angle  belov/,  did  they  not  before  they 
meet  take  a  turn  more  directly  downwards  to  form  tlie 
canal  just  mentioned.  In  each  of  the  upper  angles, 
there  is  an  orifice  of  such  size  as  to  admit  of  a  hog's 
■bristle.  These  little  orifices  are  the  mouths  of  two 
tubes  called  the  fallopian  tubes,  of  which  more  will  be 
said  presently.     The  canal   which   passes  through  the 


SECEET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 


The  Ovaries. 


neck  of  the  uterus,  connecting  the  cavity  of  this  or- 
gan with  that  of  the  vagina,  is  ahont  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  in  diameter.  It  is  different  from  other  ducts, 
for  it  seems  to  be  a  part  of  the  cavitj  from  which  it 
extends,  inasmuch  as  when  the  cavitj  of  the  uterus 
is  enlarged  in  the  process  of  pregnancy,  this  canal  is 
gradually  converted  into  a  part  of  that  cavity. 

The  lower  extremity  of  the  neck  of  the  uterus  is 
irregularly  convex  and  tumid.  The  orifice  of  the 
canal  in  it  is  oval,  and  so  situated  that  it  divides  the 
convex  surface  of  the  lower  extremity  of  the  neck  in 
two  portions,  which  are  called  the  lips  of  the  uterus. 
The  anterior  is  thicker  than  the  posterior.  The  ori- 
fice itself  is  called  os  tincm  or  os  uteris  or  in  English, 
the  mouth  of  the  womb.  "When  the  parts  are  in  a 
weak,  relaxed  state,  the  mouth  or  neck  of  the  uterus 
is  quite  low,  and  in  almost  all  cases  it  may  be  reached 
by  a  finger  introduced  into  the  vagina,  especially  by 
a  second  person  who  carries  the  hand  behind. 

The  ovaries  are  two  bodies  of  a  flattened  or  oval 
form,  one  of  which  is  situated  on  eacli  side  of  the 
uterus,  at  a  little  distance  from  it,  and  about  as  high 
up  as  where  the  nterus  becomes  narrow  to  form  its 
neck.     The  longest  diameter  of  the  ovarium  is  about 


94  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Ovaries. 

an  inch.  Each  ovarium  has  a  firm  coat  of  membrane 
In  those  who  have  not  been  pregnant,  it  contains  from 

ten  to  twenty  vesicles^  which  are  little  round  bodies, 
formed  of  a  delicate  membrane,  and  filled  with  a 
transparent  fluid.  Some  of  these  vesicles  are  situated 
so  near  the  surface  of  the  ovarium  as  to  be  promi- 
nent on  its  surface.  Tliey  are  of  different  sizes,  the 
largest  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter.* 

In  those  in  whom  conception  has  ever  taken  place, 
some  of  these  vessels  are  removed,  and  in  their  place 
a  cicatrix  or  scar  is  formed,  which  continues  through 
life.  However,  the  number  of  cicatrices  does  not  al- 
ways correspond  M'ith  the  number  of  conceptions. 
They  often  exceed  it,  and  are  sometimes  found  where 
conception  has  not  been  known  to  take  place.  The 
fallopian  tubes  are  two  canals  four  or  five  inches  in 
length,  proceeding  from  the  upper  angles  of  the  cavity 
of  the  uterus,  in  transverse  direction  in  respect  to  the 
body.  Having  so  i)roceeded  for  some  distance,  they 
turn  downwards  towards  the  ovaries.     At  their  com- 


*  The  vesicles  here  mentioned  are  the  so-called  Graafian  vesicles,  or 
ovisacs,  each  of  which  contains  in  its  interior  a  little  ovum  or  egg.  In 
the  hiiman  female  the  ovum  is  ex'remely  minute,  so  as  only  to  be  visible 
with  the  aid  of  a  lens.  The  Graafian  vesicles  are  not  limited  to  a  certain 
small  number,  as  was  formerly  thought,  but  continue  to  be  formed  in  the 
ovaries,  and  to  discharge  at  inter\als  mature  ova  during  the  whole  of  the 
fruitful  period  of  life.— G.  B. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  95 

Menstruation. 

meijcement  in  the  uterus  tliej  are  very  small,  but  tliey 
enlarge  as  much  as  they  progress.  The  large  ends 
which  hang  loose,  terminate  in  open  mouths,  tlie 
margins  of  which  consist  of  linihrlateJ  processes,  and 
nearly  touch  the  ovaria. 

We  are  now  2)repared  to  treat  of  conception.  Yet, 
as  menstruation  is  closely  connected  with  it.  and  as  a 
knowledge  of  many  things  concerning  menstruation 
may  contribute  much  to  the  well-being  of  females,  for 
whom  this  work  is  at  least  as  much  designed  as  for 
males,  I  shall  first  briefly  treat  of  this  subject. 

3Ienstruat'ion. — When  females  arrive  at  the  age  of 
puberty  they  begin  to  have  a  discharge  once  every 
month,  by  way  of  the  vagina,  of  the  color  of  blood. 
This  discharge  is  termed  the  menses.  To  have  it,  is 
to  menstruate.  The  age  at  which  menstruation  com- 
mences varies  with  different  individuals,  and  also  in 
different  climates.  The  warmer  the  climate  the  earlier 
it  commences  and  ceases.  In  temperate  climates  it. 
generally  commences  at  the  age  of  fourteen  or  fifteen, 
and  it  ceases  at  forty-four,  or  a  little  later.* 

Whenever  it  commences  the  girl  acquires  a  more 

*  Dr.  Chavasse,  on  p.  94,  of  hi.s  "Advice  to  a  Wife"  (published  by  W.  H 
Smith  &  Son),  gives  instances  of  very  early  menstruation  and  consequent 
fecundity. — [Publishers'  note. 


9Q  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Amount  of  Discharge — Avoiding  Exposures. 

womanly  appearance.  It  is  a  secretion  of  the  uterus, 
or  in  other  words,  the  minute  vessels  distributed  to 
the  inner  coat  of  the  uterus,  select  as  it  were,  from 
the  blood,  and  pour  out  in  a  gradual  manner  the  ma- 
terials of  this  fluid.  It  has  one  of  the  properties, 
color,  of  blood,  but  it  does  not  coagulate,  or  separ- 
ate into  different  parts  like  blood,  and  cannot  proj)- 
crlj  be  called  blood.*  When  this  discharge  is  in  all 
respects  regular,  it  amounts  in  most  females  to  six  or 
eight  ounces,  and  is  from  two  or  four  days'  continu- 
ance. During  its  continuance  the  woman  is  said  to 
be  unwell,  or  out  of  order.  Various  unpleasant  feel- 
ings are  liable  to  attend  it ;  but  when  it  is  attended 
with  severe  pain,  as  it  not  unfrequently  is,  it  becomes 
a  disease,  and  the  woman  is  not  likely  to  conceive 
until  it  be  cured.  During  the  existence  of  the 
"turns,"  or  "monthlies,"  as  they  are  often  called, 
indigestible  food,  dancing  in  warm  rooms,  sudden 
exposure  to  cold  or  wet,  and  mental  agitations,  should 
be  avoided  as  much  as  possible.     The  "  turns  "  do 

*  "  The  menstrual  discharge,"  says  Dr.  Kirks,  "  consists  of  blood  effused 
from  the  inner  surface  of  the  uterus,  and  mixed  with  mucus  from  the 
uterus,  vagina,  and  the  external  parts  of  the  generative  apparatus.  Being 
diluted  by  this  admixture,  the  menstrual  blood  coagulates  less  perfectly 
fhan  ordinary  blood ;  and  the  frequent  acidity  of  the  vaginal  mucus  tends 
still  further  to  diminish  its  coagulability."— Handbook  of  Physiology,  8th 
ed.,  p.  727,  187-1.— L.  G.  B. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY,  97 

Menstrual  Discbarge. 

not  continue  during  pregnancy,  nor  nursing,  unless 
nursine"  be  continued  after  the  "turns"  recommence. 

Some  women,  it  is  true,  are  subject  to  a  slight  hem- 
orrhage, that  sometimes  occurs  with  considerable  reg- 
ularity during  pregnancy,  and  which  has  led  them  to 
suppose  they  have  their  turns  at  such  terms  ;  but  it  is 
not  so  ;  the  dischai'ge  at  such  times  is  real  blood.* 

The  use  of  the  menstrual  discharge  seems  to  be,  to 
prepare  the  uterine  system  for  conception.  For  fe- 
males do  not  become  pregnant  before  they  commence, 
nor  after  they  cease  having  their  turns  ;  nor  while 
they  are  suppressed  by  some  disease,  by  cold,  or  by 
nursing. 

Some  credible  women,  however,  have  said  that  they 
become  pregnant  while  nursing,  without  having  had 
any  turn  since  their  last  lying-in.  It  is  believed  that 
in  these  cases  they  had  some  discharge,  colorless,  per- 
haps, which  they  did  not  notice,  but  which  answered 
the  purposes  of  the  common  one.  Women  are  not 
nearly  so  likely  to  conceive  during  the  week  before  a 
monthly,    as   during   the  week   immediately    after.f 


*  Consult  on  the  whole  of  this  Dr.  Chavasse's  hook,  pp,  91-101,  where  full 
details  are  given.— [Publishers'  note. 

t  See  however,  Dr.  Bull's  '•  Hints  to  Mothers,"  pp.  51-58,  and  127-129 
(published by  Longinan,  Green  &  Co.).— [Publishers'  note. 

7 


98  SECHET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Male  in  Conception. 

But  altlioui^li  the  use  of  this  secretion  seems  to  be  to 
prepare  for  conception,  it  is  not  to  be  inferred  that 
tlie  reproductive  instinct  ceases  at  the  "  turn  of  life," 
or  wlien  tlie  woman  ceases  to  menstruate.  On  the 
contrary,  it  is  said  that  this  passion  often  increases  at 
this  period,  and  continues  in  a  greater  or  less  degree 
to  an  extreme  age. 

Conception. — The  part  performed  by  the  male  in 
the  reproduction  of  the  species  consists  in  exciting  the 
organism  of  the  female,  and  depositing  the  semen  in 
the  vagina.  Before  we  inquire  what  takes  place  in  the 
females,  we  propose  to  speak  of  the  semen. 

This  fluid,  which  is  secreted  by  the  testicles,  may 
be  said  to  jDOSsess  three  kinds  of  properties — pliysical 
chemical,  physiological.  Its  physical  properties  are 
known  to  every  one, — it  is  a  thickish,  nearly  opaque 
fluid,  of  a  peculiar  odor,  saltish  taste,  etc.  As  to  its 
chemical  properties,  it  is  found  by  analysis  to  consist 
of  900  parts  of  water,  60  of  animal  mucilage,  10  of 
soda,  30  of  phosphate  of  lime.  Its  physiological  prop- 
erty is  that  of  exciting  the  female  genital  organs  in  a 
peculiar  manner. 

"When  the  semen  is  examined  by  microscope,  there 
can  be  distinguished  a  multitude  of  small  animalculae. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  99 

Secretion  of  the  Semen.- 

which  appears  to  have  a  rounded  head  and  a  long  tail 
These  animalculas  move  with  a  certain  degree  of  ra- 
pidity. They  appear  to  avoid  the  light  and  to  delight 
in  the  shade.  Leeuwenhoek,  if  not  the  discoverer  of 
the  seminal  animalculse,  was  the  first  who  brought 
the  fact  of  their  existence  fully  before  the  public. 
"With  respect  to  their  size,  he  remarked  that  ten  thou- 
sand of  them  might  exist  in  a  space  not  larger  than  a 
grain  of  sand.  They  have  a  definite  figure,  and  are 
obviously  different  from  the  animalculse  found  in  any 
other  fluid.*  Leeuwenhoek  believed  them  to  be  the 
beginnings  of  future  animals — that  they  are  of  differ- 
ent sexes,  upon  which  depends  the  future  sex  of  the 
foetus.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  appears  to  be  admitted 
on  all  liands  that  the  animalculse  are  present  in  the 
semen  of  the  various  species  of  male  animals,  and 
that  they  cannot  be  detected  when  either  from  age  or 
disease  the  animals  are  rendered  sterile.  '\IIence," 
says  Bostock,  "  we  can  scarcely  refuse  our  assent  to 
the  position  that  these  animalculae  are  in  some  way 
or  other  instrumental  to  the  production  of  the  foetus." 
The  secretion  of  the  semen  commences  at  the  age 


*  See  Dr.  Carpenter's  "  Animal  Physiology,"  p.  558  (published  by  H.  Q. 
Bohn) ;  Nichol's  "  Human  Physiology,"  pp.  253-255  (Published  by  Trubner 
&  Co.).— [Publishers',  note. 


100  SECEfIT    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Reproduction  of  Male    and  Female. 

of  puberty.  Before  this  period  tlie  testicles  secrete  a 
viscid,  transparent  fluid,  which  has  never  been  ana- 
lyzed, but  which  is  doubtless  essentially  different:  from 
semen.  The  revolution  which  the  whole  economy 
undergoes  at  this  period,  such  as  the  tone  of  the  voice, 
and  development  of  hairs,  the  beard,  the  increase  of 
the  muscles  and  bones,  etc.,  is  intimately  connected 
with  the  testicles  and  the  secretion  of  this  fluid.* 
"  Eunuchs  preserve  the  same  form  as  in  childhood; 
their  voice  is  effeminate,  they  have  no  beard,  their  dis- 
position timid;  and  finally,  their  physical  and  moral 
character  very  nearly  resembles  that  of  females. 
Nevertheless  many  of  them  take  delight  in  venereal 
intercourse,  and  give  themselves  up  with  ardor  to  a 
connection  which  must  always  be  unfruitful.f 

The  part  performed  by  the  female  in  the  reproduc- 
tion of  the  species  is  far  more  complicated  than  that 
performed  by  the  male.  It  consists  in  the  first  in- 
stance, in  providing  a  substance  which,  in  connection 
with  the  male  secretion,  is  to  constitute  the  foetus;  in 
furnishing  a  suitable  situation  in  which  the  foetus  may 
be  developed;  in  afiording  due  nourishment*  for  its 
growth;  in  bringing  it  forth,  and  afterwards  furnish- 

*Nlchol's  "Human  Physiology,"  pp.  257,  256.— [Publishers'  note. 
t  Magendic's  Physiology.— [Author's  note. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  101 

A  Case  of  Twins. 

ing  it  with  food  especially  adapted  to  the  digestive 
organs  of  the  young  animal.  Some  parts  of  this  pro- 
cess aj*e  not  well  understood,  and  such  variety  of  hy- 
potheses have  been  proposed  to  explain  them,  that 
Drelincourt.  who  lived  in  the  latter  part  of  the  17th 
century,  is  said  to  have  collected  260  hypotheses  of 
generation. 

It  ought  to  be  tnown  that  women  have  conceived 
when  the  semen  was  merely  applied  to  the  parts 
anterior  to  the  hymen,  as  the  internal  surface  of  the 
external  lips,  the  nymphse,  etc.  This  is  proved  by  the 
fact  that  several  cases  of  pregnancy  have  occurred  when 
the  hymen  was  entire.  This  fact  need  not  surprise 
us,  for,  agreeable  to  the  theory  of  absorption,  we  have 
to  account  for  it  only  to  suppose  that  some  of  the  ab- 
sorbent vessels  are  situated  anterior  to  the  hymen — a 
supposition  by  no  means  unreasonable. 

There  are  two  peculiarities  of  the  human  species 
representing  conception  which  we  will  notice.  First, 
unlike  other  animals,  they  are  liable  and  for  what 
has  been  proved  to  the  contrary,  equally  liable — to 
conceive  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Second,  a  woman 
rarely,  if  ever  conceives  until  after  having  several  sex- 
ual  connections  ;    nor  does  one   connection   in  fifty 


102  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Impregnation  while  the  Hymau  remains  Entire. 

cause  conception  in  the  matrimonial  state,  where  the 
husband  and  wife  live  together  uninterruptedly.  Pub- 
lic women  rarely  conceive,  owing  probably  to  a  weak- 
ened state  of  the  gential  system,  induced  by  too  fre- 
quent and  promiscuous  intercourse. 

It  is  universally  agreed,  that  some  time  after  a 
fruitful  connection,  a  vesicle  (two  in  case  of  twins)  of 
one  or  the  other  ovary  becomes  so  enlarged  that  it 
bursts  forth  from  the  ovary  and  takes  the  name  of 
ovum,  which  is  taken  up,  or  rather  received,  as  it 
bursts  forth,  by  the  fimbriated  extremity  of  the  fal- 
lopian tube,  and  is  then  conducted  along  the  tube  into 
the  uterus,  to  the  inner  surface  of  which  it  attaches 
itself.  * 


*  Since  Dr.  Knowlton's  work  was  written,  the  very  important  fact  has 
been  discovered  that  ova  are  periodically  discharged  from  the  ovaries  in 
the  human  female  and  other  animals,  not  in  consequence  of  fruitful  con- 
nection having  taken  place,  as  was  formerly  believed,  but  quite  independ- 
ently of  intercourse  with  the  male.  Such  a  discharge  of  ova  occurs  in  the 
lower  animals  at  the  time  of  heat  or  rut,  and  in  women  during  menstrua- 
tion. At  each  menstrual  period,  a  Graafian  vesicle  becomes  enlarged, 
bursts,  and  lets  the  ovum  which  it  contains  escape  into  the  fallopian  tube 
along  which  it  passes  to  the  uterus.  "It  has  long  been  known,"  says  Dr. 
Kirlv,  "that  in  the  so-called  oviparous  animals,  the  separat  on  of  ova  from 
the  ovary  may  take  place  independently  of  impregnation  by  the  male,  or 
even  of  sexual  union.  And  it  is  now  established  that  a  like  maturation  and 
discharge  of  ova,  independently  of  coition,  occurs  in  Mammalia,  tiie  peri- 
ods at  which  the  matured  ova  are  separated  from  the  ovaries  and  received 
into  the  lallopian  tubes  being  indicated  in  the  lower  Mammalia  by  the 
phenomena  of  heat  or  rut;  in  the  human  female  by  the  ptienomena  of  men- 
stniation.  Sexu.il  desire  manifests  itself  in  the  human  female  to  a  greater 
degree  at  these  periods,  and  in  the  female  of  mammiferous  animals  at  no 
other  time.    If  the  union  of  the  sexes  takes  place,  the  ovum  may  be  fecun- 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY  103 

Impregnation  while  the  Hymen  Remains  Entire. 

Here  it  becomes  developed  into  a  full-r;rown  foetus, 
and  is  brought  forth  about  fortj-two  weeks  from  the 
time  of  conception,  b j  a  process  termed  parturition. 
But  one  grand  question  is,  how  the  semen  operates 
itself,  or  any  part  thereof,  reaches  the  ovarj,  and  if  so, 
in  what  way  it  is  conveyed  to  them.  It  was  long  tiio 
opinion  that  the  semen  was  ejected  into  the  uterus  in 
the  act  of  coition,  and  that  it  afterwards,  by  some  un- 
knov»m  means,  found  its  way  into  and  along 
the  fallopian  tubes  to  the  ovary.  But  there  are 
several  facts  which  weigh  heavil}'- against  this  opinion, 
and  some  that  entirely  forbid  it.  In  the  first  place, 
there  are  several  well  attested  instances  in  which  im- 
pregnation took  place  while  the  hymen  remained  en- 
tire, where  the  vagina  terminated  in  the  rectum,  and 
where  it  was  so  contracted  by  a  cicatrix  as  not  to  ad- 
mit the  penis.  In  all  these'  cases  the  semen  could 
not  liave  been  lodged  anywhere  near  the  mouth  of  the 
uterus,  much  less  ejected  into  it.  Secondly,  it  has  fol- 
lowed a  connection  where,  from  some  defect  in  the 
male  organs,  as  the  urethra  terminating  some  inches 
behind  the  end  of  the  penis,  it  is  clear  that  the  semen 

dated,  and  if  no  union  occur,  it  perishes.  From  what  has  been  said  it  may 
therefore  be  concluded  that  the  two  states,  heat  and  meustruatiou.  are  anal- 
agous,  and  that  the  essentuil  accompaniment  of  botli  is  tlie  nialuratiou  and 
extrusion  of  ova,"    "  Handbook  of  Physiology,"  page  724.— [G.  R. 


lOtt  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

.Tenacity  of  Male  -Semen. 

could  not  have  Leen  injected  into  the  nteriis,  nor 
even  near  its  mouth.  Tiiird,  the  neck  of  the  unim- 
pregnated  uterus  is  so  narrow  as  merely  to  admit  a 
probe,  and  is  filled  with  a  thick  tenacious  fluid,  which 
seemingly  could  not  be  forced  away  by  any  force  which 
the  male  organ  possesses  of  ejecting  the  semen,  even 
if  the  mouth  of  the  male  urethra  were  in  opposition 
with  that  of  the  uterus.  But  fourth,  the  mouth  of  the 
uterus  is  by  no  means  fixed.  •  By  various  causes  it  is 
made  to  assume  various  situations,  and  probably  the 
mouth  of  the  urethra  rarely  comes  in  contact  with  it. 

Fifth,  "  the  tenacity  of  the  male  semen  is  such  as 
renders  its  passage  through  the  small  aperture  in  the 
neck  of  the  uterus  impossible,  even  by  a  power  of  force 
much  superior  to  that  which  we  may  rationally  sup- 
pose to  reside  in  the  male  organs  of  generation." 

Sixth,  "  Harvey  and  DeGraaf  dissected  animals  at 
almost  every  period  after  coition,  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  discovering  the  semen,  but  were  never  able  to 
detect  the  smallest  vestige  of  it  in  the  uterus  in  any 
one  instance."  * 

Aware  of  the  insurmountable  objection  to  this  view 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  semen  reaches  the  ovary, 

*  Dewees'  Essay  on  Superfoetation.— [Author's  note. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  105 

Animals  at  the  Period  after  Coition. 

it  has  been  supposed  by  some  phj'siologists  that  the 
semen  is  absorbed  from  the  vagina  into  the  great 
circulating  system,  where  it  is  mixed,  of  course,  with 
the  blood,  and  goes  the  whole  round  of  the  circula- 
tion, subject  to  the  influence  of  those  causes  which 
])roduce  great  changes  in  the  latter  fluid. 

To  this  hypothesis  it  may  be  objected,  that  while 
there  is  no  direct  evidence  in  support  of  it,  it  is  ex- 
ceedingly unreasonable,  inasmuch  as  we  can  scarcely 
believe  that  the  semen  can  go  the  whole  ronnd  of 
circulation,  and  then  find  its  way  to  the  ovary  in  such 
a  pure  unaltered  state  as  the  experiments  of  Spallan- 
zani  prove  it  must  be  in,  that  it  may  impregnate. 

A  third  set  of  theorists  have  maintained  that  an  im- 
perceptible something,  which  they  have  called  aura 
seminalis^  passes  from  the  semen  lodged  in  the  vagina 
to  the  ovary,  and  excites  those  actions  which  are  es- 
sential to  the  development  of  an  ovum.  Others  again 
have  told  us  that  it  is  all  done  by  sympathy.  That 
neither  the  semen  nor  any  volatile  part  of  it  finds  its 
way  to  the  ovary  ;  but  that  the  semen  excites  the  parts 
with  which  it  is  in  contact  in  a  peculiar  manner,  and 
by  a  law  of  the  animal  economy,  termed  sympath_y,  or 
consent  of  parts,  a  peculiar  action  commences  in  the 
ovary,  by  which  an  ovum  is  developed. 


106  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Harmonizing  Facts  Relating  to  Conception 

To  both  these  conjectures  it  may  be  objected  that 
they  have  no  other  foundation  but  the  supposed  ne- 
cessity of  adopting  them,  to  account  for  the  effect  of 
impreojnation  ;  and  further,  "they  make  no  provision 
for  the  formation  of  mules  ;  for  the  peculiarities  of, 
and  likeness  to,  parents,  and  for  the  propagation  of 
predisposition  to  disease,  from  parent  to  child  ;  for 
the  production  of  mulattoes,"  etc. 

A  fifth,  and  to  me  far  more  satisfactory  view  of  the 
subject  than  any  other,  is  that  advanced  by  our  distin- 
guished countryman,  Dr.  Dewees,  of  Philadelphia. 
It  appears  to  harmonize  with  all  known  facts  relating 
to  the  subject  of  conception,  and  something  from 
analogy  may  also  be  drawn  in  its  favor.  It  is  this: 
that  there  is  a  set  of  absorbent  vessels  leading  directly 
from  the  inner  surface  of  the  lahia  exteima,  and  the 
vaffina  to  the  ovaries,  the  whole  oflSce  of  which  vessels 
is  to  absorb  the  semen  and  convey  it  to  the  ovaries.* 


*  This  view  is  not  held  at  the  present  day.  The  commonly  received  doc- 
trine now  is  that  the  seminal  fluid  enters  the  uterus,  M'hether  during  the 
intercourse  or  after  it,  and  passes  along  the  fallopian  tubes  to  the  ovaries ; 
and  that  fecundation  takes  place  at  some  point  of  this  course,  most  frequent- 
ly in  the  tubes,  but  also  at  times  in  the  ovary  itself,  or  even,  perhaps,  in  the 
uterus.  It  is  essentially  necessary  for  fecundation  that  the  spermatozoa 
should  come  into  actual  contact  with  the  ovum.  "  That  the  spermatozos 
make  their  way  toward  the  ovarium,  and  fecundate  the  ovum  cither  before  it 
entirely  quits  the  ovisac  or  very  shortly  afterward;"  says  Dr.  Carpenter,  "this 
appears  to  be  the  general  rule  in  regard  to  the  Mamma)ia  ;  and  theirpower 
of  movement  must  obviously  be  both  vigorous  and  long  continued  to  enable 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  107 

Female  Seminal  Fluid. 

I  do  not  know  that  these  vessels  have  yet  been  fully 
discovered,  but  in  note  on  the  sixteenth  page  of  his 
"Essay  on  Various  Subjects,"  the  doctor  says:  "The 
existence  of  these  vessels  is  now  rendered  almost  cer- 
tain, as  Dr.  Gartner,  of  Copenhagen,  has  discovered  a 
duct  leading  from  the  ovary  to  the  vagina." 

Another  question  of  considerable  moment  relating 
to,  generation,  is  from  which  parent  are  the  first  rudi- 
ments of  the  foetus  derived. 

The  earliest  hj'potliesis  with  which  we  are  acquaint- 
ed, and  which  has  received  the  support  of  some  of  the 
most  eminent  of  the  moderns,  ascribes  the  original 
formation  of  the  foetus  to  the  combination  of  particles 
of  matter  derived  from  each  of  the  parents.  This  hy- 
pothesis naturally  presents  itself  to  the  mind  as  the 
obvious  method  of  explaining  the  necessity  for  the  co- 
operation of  the  two  sexes,  and  the  resemblance  in 
external  form,  and  even  in  mind  and  character,  which 
the  offspring  frequently  bears  to  the  male  parent. 
"  The  principal  objections,"  asijs  Bostock,  "  to  this  hy- 

them  to  traverse  so  great  an  extent  of  mucous  membrane,  especially  when  it 
is  remembered  that  they  ascend  in  opposition  to  the  direction  of  the  ciliary 
movement  of  the  epithelial  cells,  and  to  the  downward  peristaltic  action  of 
the  fallopian  tubes  . . .  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is  the  contact  of  the 
spermatozoa  with  the  ovum,  and  in  changes  which  occur  as  the  immediate 
consequence  of  that  contact,  that  the  act  of  fecundation  e-^sientially  con- 
s  sts."— "  Principles.of  Human  Physiology,"  Sth  ed.,  p.  961, 1S70.— ^G.  R. 


108  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Female  Secretion  in  the  Act  of  Coition. 

pothesis,  independent  of  the  want  of  any  direct  proofs 
of  a  female  seminal  fluid,  are  of  two  descriptions — those 
which  depend  upon  tlie  supposed  impossibility  of  un- 
organized matter  forming  an  organized  being,  and 
those  which  are  derived  from  observations  and  expei'i- 
ments  of  Haller  and  Spallanzani,  which  they  brought 
forward  in  support  of  their  theory  of  pre-existent 
germs. 

In  relation  to  these  objections  we  remark,  first,  tliat 
those  whose  experience  has  been  with  hale  females, 
we  suspect,  can  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  female  or- 
ganism increases  like  that  of  the  male,  until  an  emis- 
sion of  fluid  of  some  kind  or  other  takes  place.  But 
whether  the  secretion  may  properly  be  called  semen, 
whether  any  part  of  it  unites  with  the  male  semen  in 
forming  the  rudiments  of  the  foetus,  is  another  ques- 
tion. For  my  part,  we  are  inclined  to  the  opinion 
that  it  does  not.*  We  rather  regard  it  as  the  result 
of  exalted  excitation,  analogous  to  the  increased  secre- 
tion of  other  organs  from  increased  stimulation;  and 
if  it  be  for  any  object  or  use,  as  it  probably  is,    it  is 

*With  regard  to  this  secretion  in  the  female,  which  has  nothing  of  a 
seminal  character,  Dr.  Carpenter  observes :  "Its  admixture  with  the  male 
semen  has  been  supposed  to  have  some  connection  with  impregnation  ;  but 
no  proof  whatever  has  been  given  that  any  such  admixture  is  necessary."— 
•'  Human  Phyaiol.igy,"  p.  901.— [G.  R. 


SECRET   SmS   OF    SOCIETY.  109 

Particles  Derived  From  Each  of  the  Parents. 

that  of  affording  nature  a  means  of  relieving  herself; 
or,  in  other  words,  of  quieting  the  venereal  passion. 
If  this  passion,  being  once  roused,  could  not  by  some 
means  or  other  be  calmed,  it  would  command  by  far 
too  great  a  portion  of  our  thoughts,  and  with  many 
constitutions  the  individuals,  whether  male  or  female, 
could  not  conduct  themselves  with  due  decorum. 

One  fact  which  leads  me  to  think  that  the  female 
secretion  in  the  act  of  coition  is  not  essential  to  im- 
pregnation is.  that  many  females  have  conceived,  if 
their  unbiased  testimony  may  be  relied  on,  when  they 
experienced  no  pleasure.  In  these  cases  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  there  was  no  orgasm,  nor  any  se- 
cretion or  emission  of  fluid  on  the  part  of  the  female. 

As  to  the  objection  of  the  supposed  impossibility 
of  unorganized  matter  forming  an  organized  being, 
we  do  not  conceive  that  it  weighs  at  all  against  the 
hypothesis  before  us,  for  we  do  not  believe  such  as 
thing  takes  place,  even  if  we  admit  that  "the  original 
formation  of  the  foetus  is  a  combination  of  particles 
of  matter  derived  from  each  of  the  parents."  What 
do,  or  rather  what  ought  we  to  mean  by  organized 
matter?  Not  surely  that  it  exhibits  some  obvious 
physical  structure  unlike  what  is  to  be  found  in  inor- 


110  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Rudiments  of  the  Tcetus. 

ganic  matter,  but  that  it  exhibits  phenomena,  and  of 
course  may  be  said  to  possess  properties  unlike  any 
kind  of  inorganic  matter.  Matter  unites  with  matter 
in  three  ways:  mechanically,  chemically  and  organic- 
ally, and  each  mode  of  union  gives  rise  to  properties 
peculiar  to  itself.  When  matter  unites  organically, 
the  substance  or  being  so  formed  exhibits  some  phe- 
nomena essentially  different  from  what  inorganic 
bodies  exhibit.  It  is  on  this  account  that  we  ascribe 
to  organic  bodies  certain  properties  which  we  call 
physiological  properties,  such  as  contractility,  sen- 
sibility, life,  etc.  "When  from  any  cause  these 
bodies  have  undergone  such  a  change  that  they 
no  longer  exhibit  the  phenomena  peculiar  to  them, 
they  are  said  to  have  lost  these  properties,  and 
to  be  dead.  A  substance  need  not  possess  all 
the  physiological  properties  of  an  animal  of  the 
liigher  orders,  to  entitle  it  to  the  name  of  an  or- 
ganized or  living  substance,  nor  need  it  possess  the 
physical  property  of  solidity.  The  blood,  as  well  as 
many  of  the  secretions,  does  several  things,  exhibits 
several  phenomena,  which  no  mechanical  or  mere  chem- 
ical combinations  of  matter  do  exhibit.  We  must 
therefore  ascribe  to  it  certain  physiological  properties, 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  Ill 

The  Living  Fluid. 

and  regard  it  as  an  organized,  a  living  fluid,  as  was 
contended  bj  tlie  celebrated  John  Hunter.  So  with 
respect  to  the  semen,  it  certainly  possesses  physiologi- 
cal properties,  one  in  particular,  peculiar  to  itself, 
namely,  the  property  of  impregnating  the  female;  and 
upon  no  sound  principle  can  it  be  regarded  in  any 
other  light  than  as  an  organized,  and  of  course  a  living 
fluid.  And  if  the  female  secretion  or  any  part  of  it 
unite  with  the  male  secretion  in  the  formation  of  the 
rudiments  of  the  foetus  in  a  diflerent  manner  than  any 
other  substance  would,  then  it  certainly  has  the  prop- 
erty of  doing  so.  whether  we  give  this  property  a  name 
or  not;  and  a  regard  to  the  soundest  principles  of 
physiology  compels  us  to  class  this  property  with  the 
physiological  or  vital,  and  of  course  to  regard  this  se- 
cretion as  an  organized  and  living  fluid.  So,  then, 
unorganized  matter  does  not  form  an  organized  being, 
admitting  the  hypothesis  before  us  as  connect. 

That  an  organized  being  should  give  rise  to  other  or- 
ofanized  beinijs  under  favorable  circumstances  as  to 
nourishment,  warmth,  etc.,  is  no  more  wonderful  than 
that  Are  should  give  rise  to  fire  when  air  and  fuel  are 
present.  To  be  sure,  there  are  some  minute  steps  in  the 
processes  which  are  not  fully  known  to  us  ;  still,  if  they 


112  SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Observations  of  Haller  and  Spallanzani. 

ever  should  be  known,  we  should  unquestionably  see 
that  there  is  a  natural  cause  for  every  one  of  them  ; 
and  that  they  are  all  consonant  vpith  certain  laws  of 
the  animal  economy.  We  should  see  no  necessity  of 
attempting  to  explain  the  process  of  generation  by 
bringing  to  our  aid,  or  rather  to  the  darkening  of  the 
subject,  any  imaginary  principle,  as  the  nisus  forma- 
tivus  of  Blumenbach. 

As  to  the  "observations  and  experiments  of  Hal- 
ler and  Spallanzani,"  we  think  with  Dr.  Bostock,  that 
they  weigh  but  little,  if  any,  against  the  theory  be- 
fore us.  We  shall  not  be  at  the  labor  of  bringing 
them  forward,  and  showing  tlieir  futility  as  objections 
to  this  theory,  for  I  am  far  from  insisting  on  the  cor- 
rectness of  it ;  that  is,  we  do  not  insist  that  any  part 
of  the  female  secretion,  during  coition,  unites  witli 
the  male  semen  in  the  formation  of  the  rudiments  of 
the  foetus. 

The  second  hypothesis  or  theory,  we  sliall  notice, 
as  to  the  rudiments  of  the  foetus,  is  that  of  Leeuwen- 
hoek,  who  regarded  the  seminal  animalcules  of  the 
male  semen  as  the  proper  rudiments  of  the  foetus, 
and  thinks  that  the  office  of  the  female  is  to  afford 


3ECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  113 

Pre-existing  Germs. 

them  a  suitable  receptacle,  where  they  may  be  sup- 
ported and  nourished  until  they  are  able  to  exist  by 
the  exercise  of  their  own  functions.  This  is  essential- 
ly the  view  of  the  subject  which  we  adopt,  and  which 
■we  intend  to  give  more  particularly  presently. 

We  know  of  no  serious  objections  to  this  hypothe- 
sis, nothing  but  the  "  extreme  improbability,"  as  its 
opponents  say,  "  that  these  animalcules  should  be  the 
rudiments  of  being  so  totally  dissimilar  to  them." 
But  we  wish  to  know  if  there  is  more  difference  be- 
tween a  foetus  and  a  seminal  animalcule,  than  there  is 
between  a  foetus  and  a  few  material  particles  in  some 
other  form  than  that  of  such  animalcules? 

Tlie  third  hypotheses,  or  that  of  pre-existing  germs, 
proceeded  upon  a  precisely  opposite  view  of  the  sub- 
ject to  that  of  Leeuwenhoek,  namely,  that  the  foetus 
s  properly  the  production  of  the  female;  that  it 
exists  previous  to  the  sexual  congress  with  all  its 
organs,  in  some  part  of  the  uterine  system;  and  that 
it  receives  no  proper  addition  from  the  male,  but  that 
the  seminal  fluid  acts  merely  by  exciting  the  powers 
of  the  foetus,  or  endowing  it  with  vitality. 

It  is  not  known  who  first  proposed  this  hypothesis; 
but  strange  as  it  may  appear,  it  has  had  the  support 


114  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Manner  of  Impregnation. 

of  such  names  as  Bonnet,  Haller  and  Spallai.zani,  and 
met  with  a  favorable  reception  in  the  middle  of  the 
last  century.  Agreeable  to  this  hypothesis,  our  com- 
mon mother  Eve  contained  a  number  of  homuncules 
(little  men)  one  within  another,  like  a  nest  of  boxes, 
and  all  within  her  ovaries,  equal  to  all  the  number  of 
births  that  have  ever  been,  or  ever  will  be,  not  to 
reckon  abortions.  Were  we  to  bring  forward  all  the 
facts  and  arguments  that  have  been  advanced  in  sup- 
port of  this  idea,  it  seems  to  me  I  should  fiiil  to  con- 
vince sound  minds  of  its  correctness;  as  to  arguments 
against  it,  they  surely  seemed  uncalled  for.  Having 
now  j)resented  several  hypotheses  of  generation,  some 
as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  semen  reaches  or  influ- 
ences the  ovary,  and  others  as  the  rudiments  of  the 
fcetus,  we  shall  now  bring  together  those  views  which 
upon  the  whole  appear  to  me  the  most  satisfactory. 

We  believe,  with  Dr.  Dewees,  that  a  set  of  absorb- 
ent vessels  extend  from  the  innermost  surface  of  the 
labia  externa,  and  from  the  vagina  to  the  ovary,  the 
whole  office  of  which  is  to  take  up  the  semen  or  some 
part  thereof  and  convey  it  to  the  ovary.  We  believe, 
with  Lceuwenhoek,  that  the  seminal  animalcules  are 
the  proper  rudiments   of  the  foetus,  and  are   perhaps 


SECBET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  115 

Manner  of  Impregnation.     ^ 

of  different  sexes;  that  in  case  of  impregnation  one 
of  them  is  carried  not  only  to,  but  into,  a  vesicle  of  an 
ovary,  which  is  in  a  condition  to  receive  and  be  duly 
affected  by  it.*  It  is  here  surrounded  by  the  album- 
inous fluid  which  the  vesicle  contains.  This  fluid  be- 
•  ing  somewhat  changed  in  its  qualities  by  its  new-com- 
er, stimulates  the  minute  vessels  of  the  parts  which 
surround  it,  and  thus  causes  more  of  this  fluid  to  be 
formed;  and  while  it  affords  the  animalcule  material 
for  its  development,  it  puts  the  delicate  membrane  of 
the  ovary  which  retains  it  in  its  place  upon  the  stretch, 
and  flnally  bursts  forth,  surrounded  probably  by  an  ex- 
ceedingly delicate  membrane  of  its  own.  This  mem- 
brane, with  the  albuminous  fluid  it  contains  and  the 
animalcule  in  the  center  of  it,  constitutes  the  ovum 
or  egcr.  It  is  received  by  the  fimbriated  extremity  of 
the  fallopian  tube,  which  by  this  time  has  grasped 
the  ovary,  and  is  by  this  tube  slowly  conveyed  into 
the  uterus,  to  the  inner  surface  of  which   it   attaches 


*  The  opinion  that  the  spermatozoa  of  seminal  filaments  are  real  animal- 
cules is  now  abandoned,  but  it  is  held  by  Dr.  Carpenter  and  other  authorities 
that  they  actually,  as  here  stated,  penetrate  into  the  interior  of  the  ovum. 
"  The  nature  of  impregnation,"  says  Dr.  Hermann,  "  is  as  yet  unknown.  In 
all  probability  it  is,  above  all,  essential,  in  order  that  it  should  occur,  that 
one  or  more  spermatozoa  should  penetrate  the  ovum.  At  any  rate,  sperma- 
tozoa have  been  found  within  the  fecundated  eggs  of  the  most  diverse 
species  of  animals."—"  Elements  of  Human  Physiology,"  translated  from  tha 
5th  ed.,  by  Dr.  Gamgee,  p.  534,  1875.— [G.  R. 


116  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Seminal  Animalcule. 

itself,  through  the  medium  of  the  membrane,  which  is 
formed  bj  the  uterus  itself  in  the  interim  between  im- 
pregnation and  the  arriving  of  the  ovum  in  the  way 
we  have  just  mentioned. 

The  idea  that  a  seminal  animalcule  enters  an  ovum 
while  it  remains  in  the  ovarj,  was  never  before  ad- 
vanced, to  my  knowledge  ;  hence  I  consider  it  incum- 
bent upon  me  to  advance  some  reason  for  the  opinion. 

First,  it  is  admitted  on  all  hands  that  the  seminal 
animalcules  are  essential  to  impregnation,  since ''they 
cannot  be  detected  when  either  from  age  or  disease  the 
animal  is  rendered  sterile." 

Second,  the  ovum  is  impregnated  while  it  remains 
in  the  ovary.  True,  those  who  never  met  with  Dr. 
Dewees'  theory,  and  who  consequently  have  adopted 
the  idea  that  the  semen  is  ejected  into  the  uterus,  as 
the  least  improbable  of  any  with  which  they  were  ac- 
quainted, have  found  it  very  difficult  to  dispose  of  the 
fact  that  the  ovum  is  impregnated  in  the  ovary,  and 
have  consequently  presumed  this  is  not  generally  the 
case.  They  admit  it  is  certainly  so  sometimes,  and 
that  it  is  difficult  to  reject  the  conclusion  that  it 
is  always  so.  Dr.  Bostock — who  doubtless  had  not 
met  with  Dewees'  theory   at  the   time  he   wrote,  and 


SECEET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  117 

Kumber  of  Animalcules  in  the  Human  Scmaa. 

who  admits  it  is  impossible  to  conceive  liowthesemen 
can  find  its  way  along  the  fallopian  tubes,  how  it  can 
find  its  way  towards  the  ovary,  farther,  at  most,  than 
into  the  uterus,  and  consequently  cannot  see  how 
the  ovura  can  be  impregnated  into  the  ovary — says, 
"  Perhaps  the  most  i-ational  supposition  may  be  that 
the  ovum  is  transmitted  to  the  uterus  inthe  unimpreg- 
nated  state;  but  there  are  certain  facts  which  seem 
almost  incompatible  with  this  idea,  especially  the  cases 
which  not  unfrequently  occur  of  perfect  foetuses  hav- 
ing been  found  in  the  tubes,  or  where  they  escaped 
them  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen.  Hence  it  is  de- 
monstrated the  ovum  is  occasionallj'  impregnated  in 
the  tubes  (why  did  he  not  say  ovaria  ?),  and  we  can 
scarcely  resist  the  conclusion  that  it  must  always  be 
the  case."  .  .  .  "  Haller  discusses  this  liypothesis 
(Bostock's  '  most  natural  supposition,  perhaps ')  and 
decides  against  it"  ..."  The  experiments  of  Cruik- 
shank,  which  were  very  numerous,  and  appear  to 
have  been  made  with  the  requisite  degree  of  skill  and 
correctness,  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the  rudiment  of 
the  young  animal  is  perfected  in  the  ovarium."  .  .  . 
"A  case  is  detailed  by  Dr.  Granville  of  a  foetus, 
which  appears  to  have  been  lodged  in  the  body  of  the 


118  SECRET    SmS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Doctrine  of  Sympathy. 

ovarium  itself,  aud  is  considered  by  its  author  as  a 
proof  that  conception  always  takes  place  in  this  or- 
gan." 

The  above  quotations  are  from  the  third  volume  of 
Bostock's  Physiology. 

Now,  as  the  seminal  animalcules  are  essential  to  im- 
pregnation, and  as  the  ovum  is  impregnated  in  the 
ovarium,  what  more  probable  conjecture  can  we  form 
than  an  animalcule,  as  the  real  proper  rudiment  of  the 
foetus,  enters  the  ovum,  where  being  surrounded  with 
albuminous  fluid  with  which  it  is  nourished,  it  grad- 
ually becomes  developed?  It  may  be  noticed  that 
Leeuwenhock  estimates  that  ten  thousand  animalcules 
of  human  semen  may  exist  in  a  space  not  larger  than 
a  grain  of  sand.  There  can,  therefore  be  no  difficulty 
in  admitting  that  they  may  find  their  way  along  ex- 
ceedingly minute  vessels  from  the  vagina,  not  only  to, 
but  into,  the  ovum,  while  situated  in  the  ovarium. 

We  think  no  one  can  be  disposed  to  maintain  that  the 
animalcule  merely  reaches  the  surface  of  the  ovum,  * 
and  thus  impregnates  it.  But  possibly  some  may 
contend  tliat  its  sole  office  is  to  stimuhite  the  ovum, 


*I  say  surface  of  the  ovum,  for  it  is  probably  not  a  mere  drop  of  fluid, 
but  fluid  surrounded  with  an  exceedingly  delicate  membrane.— [Author's 
note. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  119 

The  Doctrine  of  Sympathy. 

and  iu  this  way  set  going  that  train  of  actions  which 
are  essential  to  impregnation.  But  there  is  no  evi- 
dence in  favor  of  this  last  idea,  and  certainly  it  does 
not  so  well  harmonize  with  the  fact  that  the  offspring 
generally  partakes  more  or  less  of  the  character  of  its 
male  parent.  As  Dr.  Dewees  says  of  the  doctrine  of 
sympathy',  "  It  makes  no  provision  for  tlie  formation 
of  mules;  for  the  peculiarities  of,  and  likeness  of  pa- 
rents; and  for  the  propagation  of  predisposition  to 
disease  from  parent  to  child;  for  the  production  of 
mulattoes,"  etc. 

Considering  it  important  to  do  away  with  the  popular 
and  mischievous  error  that  the  semen  must  enter  the 
uterus  to  eflect  impregnation,  we  shall,  in  addition 
to  what  has  been  already  advanced,  here  notice  the 
experiments  of  Dr.  Haighton.  He  divided  the  fallo- 
pian tubes,  in  numerous  instances  and  found  that 
after  the  operation  a  foetus  is  never  produced,  but 
that  corpora  lutea  were  formed.  The  obvious 
conclusions  from  tliese  facts  are  that  the  semen 
does  not  traverse  the  fallopian  tubes  to  reach  the 
ovaria;  yet  that  the  ovum  becomes  impregnated 
while  in  the  ovarium,  and  consequently  that  the  se- 
men reaches  the  ovum   in  some  way,  except  by  the 


120  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

An  Instance  of  Superfoetation. 

uterus  and  fallopian  tubes.  We  maj  remark,  howev- 
er, that  a  corpus  luteum  is  not  positive  proof  that  im- 
pregnation at  some  time  or  other  has  taken  place;  yet 
they  are  so  rarely  found  in  virgins  that  they  were  re- 
garded as  such  proofs  until  the  time  of  Blumenbach, 
a  writer  of  the  present  century.* 

"  Harvey  and  DeGraaf  dissected  animals  at  most 
every  period  after  coition,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
discovering  the  semen,  but  were  never  able  to  detect 
the  smallest  vestige  of  it  in  the  uterus  in  any  one  in- 
stance."— Dewees'  Essay  on  Superfcetation.  The 
fact  of  superfoetation  furnishes  a  very  strong  argu- 
ment against  the  idea  that  the  semen  enters  the  uterus 
in  impregnation. 

A  woman  being  impregnated  while  she  is  al- 
ready impregnated,  constitutes  superfoetation.  It  is 
established  beyond  a  doubt  that  such  instances  have 
occurred,  yet  those  who  have  supposed  that  it  is  nec- 
essary for  the  semen  to  pass  through  the  mouth  of  the 
uterus  to  produce  conception  have  urged    that  super- 

*A  corpus  luteum  is  a  little  yellowish  body,  formed  in  the  ovaiy  by 
changes  that  take  place  in  the  Graafian  vesicle,  after  it  has  burst  and  dis- 
charged its  contents.  Corpora  Men  were  formerly  considered  a  sure  sign 
of  impregnation,  as  they  were  thouf^ht  to  be  developed  only  or  chiefly  in 
cases  of  pregnancy,  but  it  is  now  known  that  they  occur  in  all  cases  where  a 
vesicle  has  been  ruptured  and  an  ovum  discharged ;  though  they  attain  a 
larger  size  and  are  longer  visible  in  the  ovary  when  pregnancy  takes  place 
than  when  it  does  not.— [G.  R. 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  121 

A  Singular  Case  of  Twins. 

foetation  could  not  take  place,  because,  saj  tliej — and 
thej  saj  correctly —  "  so  soon  as  impregnation  shall 
have  taken  place,  the  os  nteri  closes  and  becomes  im- 
pervious to  the  semen  ejected  in  subsequent  acts  of 
coition." 

Dr.  Dewees  related  two  cases,  evidently  cases  of 
Buperfoetation,  that  occurred  to  his  own  personal 
knowledge.  The  first  shows  that,  agreeable  to  the  old 
theory,  the  semen  must  have  met  with  other  difficul- 
ties than  a  closed  mouth  of  the  uterus, — it  must  have 
passed  through  several  membranes,  as  well  as  tlie 
waters  surrounding  the  foetus,  to  have  reached  even 
the  uterine  extremity  of  a  fallopian  tube.  The  second 
case  we  will  give  in  his  own  words  : 

"  A  white  woman,  servant  to  Mr.  H.  of  Abington 
township,  Montgomery  county,  was  delivered  about  five 
and  twenty  years  since  of  twins,  one  of  which  was 
perfectly  white,  the  other  perfectly  black.  When  I 
resided  in  that  neighborhood  I  was  in  the  habit  of 
seeing  them  almost  daily,  and  also  had  frequent  con- 
versations with  Mrs.  H.  respecting  them.  She  was 
present  at  their  birth,  so  that  no  possible  deception 
could  have  been  practised  respecting  them.  The  white 
girl  is   delicate,  fair-skinned,  light-haired  and   blue- 


122  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Uterus. 

eyed,  and  is  said  very  mncli  to  resemble  tlie  mother. 
The  other  has  all  the  characteristic  marks  of  the 
African;  short  of  stature,  flat,  broad  nosed,  thick-lip- 
ped, woolly-headed,  flat-footed,  and  projecting  heels; 
she  is  said  to  resemble  a  negro  they  had  on  the  farm, 
but  with  whom  the  woman  never  would  acknowledge 
an  intimacy;  but  of  this  there  was  no  doubt,  as  both 
he  and  the  white  man,  with  whom  her  connection  was 
detected,  ran  from  the  neighborhood  so  soon  as  it  was 
known  tlie  girl  was  with  child." 

We  are  aware  that  some  have  thought  they  had  ac- 
tually discovered  semen  in  the  uterus,  while  Kuysch,  an 
anatomist  of  considerable  eminence,  who  flourished  at 
the  close  of  the  17th  century,  asserted  in  the  most  une- 
quivocal manner  that  he  found  the  semen  in  its  gross 
white  state  in  one  of  the  fallopian  tubes  of  a  woman,  who 
died  very  soon  after,  or  during  the  act  of  coition;  but 
says  Dewees,  "  The  semen,  after  it  has  escaped  from 
the  penis,  quickly  loses  its  albuminous  appearance, 
and  becomes  as  thin  and  transparent  as  water.  And 
we  are  certain  that  Euysch  was  mistaken.  Some  al- 
teration in  the  natural  secretion  of  the  parts  M^as  mis- 
taken for  senien.  This  was  nowise  difiicult  for  him 
to  do,  as  he  had  a  particular  theory  to  support,  and 


SECRET    SliS'S    OF    SOCIETY.  123 

Circimistances  under  which  a  Female  is  most  likely  to  Coucelve. 

more  especially  as  this  supposed  discovery  made  so 
much  for  it.  It  is  not  merely  speculative  when  we 
say  that  some  change  in  the  natural  secretion  of  the 
parts  may  be  mistaken  for  semen,  for  we  have  the  tes- 
timony of  Morgani  on  our  side.  He  tells  us  he  lias 
seen  similar  appearances  in  several  instances  in  vir- 
gins and  others,  who  had  been  subject  during  their 
lives  to  leucorrhcea,  and  that  it  has  been  mistaken  by 
some  for  male  semen." 

On  the  whole,  we  would  say,  that  in  some  instances, 
where  the  mouth  of  the  uterus  is  uncommonly  relaxed, 
the  semen  may,  as  it  were,  accidentally  have  found 
its  way  into  it;  but  that  is  not  generally  the  case,  nor 
is  it  essential  to  impregnation;  and  further,  that  what- 
ever semen  may  at  any  time  be  lodged  in  the  uterus, 
has  nothing  to  do  with  conception.  It  is  not  consist- 
ent with  analogy  to  suppose  that  the  uterus  has  ves- 
sels for  absorbing  the  semen  and  conveying  it  to  the 
ovaria  considering  the  other  important  functions  which 
we  know  it  performs. 

The  circumstances  under  which  a  female  is  most 
likely  to  conceive,  are  first,  when  she  is  in  health; 
second,  between  the  ages  of  twenty-six  and  thirty; 
third,  after  she  has  a  season  been  deprived   of  those 


12-i  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Circumstances  under  which  a  Female  is  most  likely  to  Couceive 

intercourses  she  bad  previously  enjoyed;  fourth,  soon 
after  menstruating.  Respecting  this  latter  circum- 
stance, Dr.  Dewees  remarks,  "  Perhaps  it  is  not  err- 
ing greatly  to  say  that  the  woman  is  liable  to  conceive 
at  any  part  of  the  menstrual  interval.  It  is  generally 
supposed,  however,  that  the  most  favorable  instant  is 
immediately  after  the  catamenia  have  ceased."  Per- 
haps this  is  so  as  a  general  rule;  but  it  is  certainly  li- 
able to  exceptions,*  and  he  relates  the  following  case, 
which  occurred  to  his  own  notice  : 

"The  husband  of  a  lady  who  was  obliged  to  absent 
himself  many  months  in  consequence  of  the  embar- 
rassment of  his  affairs,  returned  one  night  clandes- 


*  This  view,  whicli  concerns  a  question  of  the  utmost  practical  import- 
ance, is  held  at  the  present  day  by  the  groat  majority  of  physiologists.  It  it 
believed  that  although  conception  may  occur  at  other  times,  it  is  much  more 
likely  to  happen  from  intercourse  a  few  days  before  or  after  the  menstrual 
periods ;  that  is  to  say,  during  the  time  when  ova  are  in  process  of  being 
ripened  and  detached  from  the  ovaries,  and  before  they  perish  and  are  con. 
veyed  out  of  the  body.  "  There  is  a  good  reason  to  believe',"  says  Dr.  Car- 
penter, "  that  in  the  human  female  the  sexual  feeling  becomes  stronger  at 
the  period  of  menstruation ;  audit  is  quite  certain  that  there  is  a  greater 
aptitude  for  conception  immediately  before  and  after  that  epoch,  than  there 
is  at  any  Immediate  period.  This  question  has  been  made  the  subject  of 
special  inquiry  by  M.  Raciborski,  who  affirms  that  the  exceptions  to  the  rule 
— that  conception  occurs  immediately  before  or  after  or  during  menstruation 
— are  not  more  than  six  or  seven  per  cent.  Indeed,  in  his  latest  work  on  the 
subject,  he  gives  the  details  of  fifteen  cases,  in  which  the  date  of  conception 
could  be  accurately  fixed,  and  the  time  of  the  last  appearance  of  the  cata- 
menia was  also  known,  and  in  all  but  one  of  them  the  corie^pondence  be- 
tween the  two  periods  was  very  close. " — "  Human  Physiology,'"  p.  959.  So^ 
too.  Dr.  Kirke  remarks,  that  "although  conception  is  not  confined  to  the 
periods  of  menstruation,  yet  it  is  more  likely  to  occur  within  a  few  days 
after  cessation  of  the  menstrual  flux  than  at  other  times," — "  Handbook  of 
Physiology,"  p.  725. 


SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  125 

An  Exceptional  Case. 

tinely,  his  visit  being  only  known  to  his  wife,  his 
mother,  and  myself.  The  consequence  of  this  visit 
was  the  impregnation  of  his  wife.  The  lady  was  at 
that  time  within  a  week  of  her  menstrual  period  ; 
and  as  this  did  not  fail  to  take  place,  she  was  led  to 
hope  that  she  had  not  suffered  by  the  visit  of  her  hus- 
band. But  her  catamenia  not  appearing  at  the  next 
period,  gave  rise  to  a  fear  that  she  had  not  escaped; 
and  the  birth  of  a  child  nine  months  and  thirteen 
days  from  the  night  of  clandestine  visit  proved  her 
apprehension  too  well  grounded." 

"We  think  this  case  is  an  exception  t©  a  general  rule; 
and,  furthermore,  favors  an  idea  which  reason  and  a 
limited  observation  rather  than  positive  knowledge, 
has  led  me  to  advance  above,  namely,  that  a  woman 
is  more  likely  to  conceive,  other  things  being  the 
same,  after  being  deprived  for  a  season  of  those  inter- 
courses she  had  previously  enjoyed.  Had  this  lady's 
hnsband  remained  constantly  at  home,  she  would 
probably  either  not  have  conceived  at  all,  or  have 
done  so  a  fortnight  sooner  than  she  did. 

This  case  is  also  remarkable  for  two  other  facts  : 
one,  "  that  a  woman  in  perfect  health,  and  pregnant 
with  a  healthy  child,  may  exceed  the  period  of  nine 


126  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Term  of  Utero-Gestation. 

months  by  several  days;  the  other,  that  a  check  is 
not  always  immediately  given  to  the  catamenial  flow 
by  an  ovum  being  impregnated."  Probably  it  is  not 
so  generally  so  as  many  suppose. 

The  terra  utero-gestation,  or  the  length  of  time  from 
conception  to  the  commencement  of  hibor,  is  not  pre- 
cisely determined  by  physiologists,  "  It  seems,  how- 
ever," says  Dr.  Dewees,  "  from  the  best  calculations 
that  can  be  made,  that  nine  calendar  months,  or  forty 
weeks  approaches  the  truth  so  nearly  that  we  can 
scarcely  need  desire  more  accuracy,  could  it  be  ob- 
tained." Unquestionably,  however,  some  cases  exceed 
this  period  by  many  days,  or  even  weeks,  and  it  has 
been  a  question  much  agitated,  how  far  this  period  is 
ever  exceeded.  It  is  a  question  of  some  moment  in  a 
legal  point  of  view.  Cases  are  reported  where  the 
usual  period  was  exceeded  by  five  or  six  mouths  ; 
cases,  too,  where  the  circumstances  attending  them, 
and  the  respectability  of  their  reporters  are  such  as  to 
command  our  belief.  Dr.  Dewees  has  paid  much  at- 
tention to  this  subject,  and  he  declares  himself  entirely 
convinced,  "that  the  commonly  fixed  period  may  be 
extended  from  thirteen    days  to  six  weeks,  under  the 


SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  127 

Xo  certain  Sign  to  tell  when  Conception  has  Taken  Place. 

inflnence  of  certain  causes  or  peculiarities  of  constitu- 
tion." * 

These  occasional  departures  from  the  general 
rule  will,  perhaps,  be  the  more  readily  admitted 
when  we  consider  that  they  are  not  confined  to  the 
human  species.  From  the  experiments  of  Tessier,  it 
appears  that  the  term  of  utero-gestation  varies  greatly 
with  the  cow,  sheep,  horse,  swine,  and  other  animals 
to  which  his  attention  was  directed. 

Properly  connected  with  the  subject  of  generation  are 
the  signs  of  pregnancy.  Dr.  Dewees  remarks  that 
"  our  experience  furnishes  no  certain  mark  by  which 
the  moment  conception  takes  place  is  to  be  distin- 
guished. All  appeals  by  the  women  to  particular  sen- 
sations experienced  at  the  instant  should  be  very 
guardedly  received,  for  we  are  certain  they  cannot  be 
relied  upon  ;  for  enjoyment  and  indifference  are  alike 
fallacious.  Nor  are  certain  nervous  tremblings,  nau- 
sea, palpitation  of  the  heart,  the  sensation  of  some- 
thing flowing  from  them  during  coition,  etc.,  more  to 
be  relied  upon."  Burns,  however,  says,  "  Some  women 
feel,  immediately  after  conception,  a  peculiar  sensa- 
tion, which  apprises  them  of  their  situation,  but  such 

*  See  tables  in  Dr.  Bull's  "  Hints  to  Mothers,"  pp.  130-141.— [Publishers' 
note. 


128  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Peculiar  Sensations  of  Some  Women. 

instances  are  not  frequent,  and  generally  the  first  cir- 
cumstances which  lead  a  wonnan  to  suppose  herself 
pregnant  are  the  suppression  of  the  menses";  a  fickle 
appetite,  some  sickness,  perhaps  vomiting,  especially 
in  the  morning  ;  returning  qualms,  or  languor  in  the 
afternoon  ;  she  is  liable  to  heart-burn,  and  to  dis- 
turbed sleep.  The  breasts  at  first  often  become  small- 
er, and  sometimes  tender  ;  but  about  the  third  month 
they  enlarge,  and  occasionally  become  painful.  The 
nipple  is  surrounded  with  an  areola  or  circle  of  a 
brown  color,  or  at  least  of  a  color  sensibly  deeper  or 
darker  than  before.  She  loses  her  looks,  becomes  paler, 
and  the  under  part  of  the  lower  eyelid  is  often  somewhat 
of  a  leaden  hue.  The  features  become  sharper,  and  some- 
times the  whole  body  begins  to  emaciate,  while  'the 
pulse  quickens.  In  many  instances  particular  sym- 
pathies take  place,  causing  salivation,  toothache,  jaun- 
dice, etc.  In  other  cases  very  little  disturbance  is 
produced,  and  the  woman  is  not  certain  of  her  condi- 
tion until  the  time  of  quickening,  which  is  generally 
about  four  months  from  conception.  It  is  possible 
for  a  woman  to  mistake  the  efiects  of  wind  for  the 
motion  of  the  child,  especially  if  they  have  never 
borne  children,  and  be  anxious  for  a  family;  but  the 
i 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  129 

Peculiar  Sensations  of  Some  Women. 

sensation  produced  by  wind  in  the  bowels  is  not  con- 
fined to  one  spot,  but  is  often  felt  at  a  part  of  the  ab- 
domen where  the  motion  of  a  child  could  not  possibly 
be  felt.  Quite  as  frequently,  perhaps,  do  fleshy  wo- 
men think  themselves  dropsical,  and  mistake  motions 
of  the  child  for  movements  of  water  within  the  ab- 
dominal cavity.  The  motion  of  the  child  is  not  to  be 
confounded  w^itli  the  sensations  sometimes  produced 
by  the  uterus  rising  out  of  the  pelvis,  which  produces 
the  feeling  of  fluttering.  At  the  end  of  the  fourth 
month,  the  uterus  becomes  so  large  that  it  is  obliged 
to  rise  out  of  the  pelvis,  and  if  this  elevation  takes 
place  suddenly,  the  sensation  accompanying  it  is  pret- 
ty strong,  and  the  woman  at  the  time  feels  sick  or 
faint,  and  in  irritable  habits,  even  a  hysterical  fit  may 
accompany  it.  After  this  the  morning  sickness,  and 
other  sympathetic  effects  of  pregnancy  generally  abate, 
and  the  health  improves. 

Yery  soon  after  impregnation,  if  blood  be  drawn, 
and  suiFered  to  stand  a  short  time  undisturbed,  it  will 
become  sizy,  of  a  yellowish  or  bluish  color,  and  some- 
what of  an  oily  appearance.  J3ut  we  cannot  from  such 
appearances  of  the  blood  alone  pronounce  a  woman 
pregnant,  for  a  suppression  of  the  menses,  accom- 
9 


130  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Suppression  of  the  Menses  not  a  Sure  Sign. 

panied  with  afebrile  state,  may  give  the  blood  a  like 
appearance  as  pregnancy;  so.  also  may  some  local  dis- 
ease. Of  the  above-mentioned  symptoms,  perhaps 
there  is  no  one  on  which  we  can  place  more  reliance 
than  the  increased  color  of  the  circle  around  the  nip- 
ple.* • 

Six  or  eight  weelcs  after  conception,  the  most  sure 

way  of  ascertaining  pregnancy  is  to  examine  *the 
mouth  and  neck  of  the  uterus,  by  way  of  the  vagina. 
The  uterus  will  be  found  lower  down  than  formerly, 
its  mouth  is  not  directed  so  much  forward  as  before 
impregnation;  it  is  more  completely  closed,  and  the 
neck  is  felt  to  be  thicker,  or  increased  in  circumfer- 
ence. When  raised  on  the  finger,  it  is  found  to  be 
heavier  or  more  resisting.  Whoever  makes  this 
examination  must  have  examined  the  same  uterus  in 
an  unimpregnated  state,  and  retained  a  tolerably  cor- 
rect idea  of  its  feeling  at  that  time,  or  he  will  be  liable 
to  uncertainty,  because  the  uterus  of  one  woman  is 
naturally  different  in  magnitude  from  that  of  another, 
and  the  uterus  is  frequently  lower  down  than  natural 
from  other  causes  than  pregnancy,  f 


*  See  "Advice  to  a  Wife"  P.  H  Chavasse,  pp.  115-124,  where  many  de- 
tails are  given.— [PublLshers'  note. 

t  No  one  but  a  doctor,  or  one  trained  in  physiology,  could  of  course, 
ms-ke  any  such  examination  with  safety  and  utility.— [I'ub.ishers'  note. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  131 

Established  Facts  with  Animals. 

It  lias  not  been  fully  ascertained  how  long  it  is  after 
a  fruitful  connection  before  any  effect  is  produced 
upon  the  ovaria — that  is,  before  any  alteration  could 
be  discovered,  were  the  female  to  be  dissected.  But 
Haighton's  experiments  have  established  the  fact,  that 
with  rabbits,  whose  term  of  utero-gestation  is  but 
thirty  days;  no  effect  is  propagated  to  the  ovaria  until 
nearly  fifty  hours  after  coition ;  we  should  judge,  there- 
fore, that  with  the  human  species  it  must  be  several 
days,  and  it  is  generally  estimated  by  physiologists 
that  the  ovum  does  not  reach  the  uterus  until  the  ex- 
piration of  twenty  days  from  the  time  of  connection.* 

It  is  probable  that  in  all  cases  in  which  any  matter 
is  absorbed  from  any  portion  of  the  animal  system, 
some  little  time  is  required  for  such  matter,  after  its 
application,  to  stimulate  and  arouse  the  absorbent  ves- 
sels to  action;  hence  it  is  probable  that  after  the  semen 
is  lodged  in  the  vagina,  it  is  many  minutes,  possibly 
some  hours,  before  any  part  of  it  is  absorbed. 

Sterility  depends  either  on  imperfect  organization, 
or  imperfect  actions  of  the  organs  of  generation.  In 
the  former  cases,  which   are  rare,    the  menses  do  not 


•"  The  time  occupied  in  the  passage  of  the  ovum  from  the  ovary  to  the 
uterus,"  says  Dr.  Kirkes,  "  occupies  jjrobably  eight  or  ten  days  in  the  hu- 
man female."—"  Handbook  of  Physiology,"  p.  741.— [O.  R. 


132  SECKET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Irregularities  of  Woman. 

generally  appear,  the  breasts  are  not  developed,  and 
the  sexual  desire  is  inconsiderable.  There  is  no  reme- 
dy in  these  cases. 

The  action  may  be  imperfect  in  several  respects. 
The  mensem  may  be  obstructed  or  sparing,  or  they 
may  be  too  profuse  or  frequent.  It  is  extremely  rare 
for  a  woman  to  conceive  who  does  not  menstruate 
regularly.  Hence  where  this  is  the  case  the  first  step 
is  to  regulate  this  periodical  discharge.*  For  this 
purpose  the  advice  of  a  physician  will  generally  be 
required,  for  these  irregularities  depend  upon  such 
various  causes  and  require  such  a  variety  of  treat- 
ment, that  it  would  be  inconsistent  with  the  plan  of 
this  work  to  give  instructions  for  remedying  them.  A 
state  of  exhaustion,  or  weakness  of  the  uterine  sys- 
tem, occasioned  by  too  frequent  intercourse,  is  a  fre- 
quent cause  of  sterility.  The  sterility  of  prostitutes 
is  attributed  to  this  cause,  but  I  doubt  it  being  the 
only  one.  "With  females  who  are  apparently  healthy, 
the  most  frequent  cause  is  a  torpor,  rather  than  weak- 
ness, of  the  gential  organs. 

For  the  removal  of  sterility  from  this  cause,  we 
shall  give  some  instructions,  and  this   we  do  because 

•  Chavasse,  pp.  87-10",  deals  very  fully  with  this  point.— [Publishers'  note 


SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  133 

The  Removal  of  Sterility. 

the  requisite  means  are  such  as  will  regulate  the 
menses  in  many  cases,  where  they  do  "not  appear  so 
early  in  life,  so  freely  or  so  frequently  as   they  ought. 

In  tlie  first  place,  it  will  generally  be  necessary  to  do 
something  towards  invigorating  the  system  by  exer- 
cise in  the  open  air,  by  nourishing  food  of  easy  diges- 
tion, by  sufficient  dress,  particular!}'-  flannel,  and  es- 
pecially by  strict  temperance  in  all  things.  With 
this  view,  also,  some  scales  which  fall  from  the  blackr 
smith's  anvil,  or  some  steel  filings,  may  be  put  into 
old  cider  or  wine  (cider  the  best),  and  after  standing 
a  week  or  so,  as  much  may  be  taken  two  or  three 
times  a  day  as  can  be  borne  without  disturbing  the 
stomach.  All  the  while  the  bowels  are  to  be  kept 
rather  open,  by  taking  from  one  to  three  of  pill  rufi 
every  night  on  going  to  bed.  These  pills  consist  of 
four  parts  of  aloes,  two  parts  of  myrrh,  and  one  of  saf- 
fron, by  weight. 

These  measures  having  been  regularly  pursued  until 
the  SYSitcm  be  brought  into  a  vigorous  state,  medicines 
which  are  more  particularly  calculated  to  arouse  the 
genital  organs  from  a  state  of  torpor  may  be  com- 
menced, and  continued  for  months  if  necessary.  The 
cheapest,  most  simple  (and  we  are  not  prepared  to  say 


134:  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Arousing  the  Genital  Organs, 

it  is  not  the  most  effectual  in  many  cases),  is  cayenne. 
All  the  virtues  of  this  article  are  not  generally  known, 
even  to  physicians.  We  know  it  does  not  have  the 
effect  upon  the  coats  of  the  stomach  that  many  have 
conjectured.  It  may  be  taken  in  the  quantity  of 
from  one  to  two  rising  teaspoonsful,  or  even  more, 
every  day,  upon  food  or  in  any  liquid  vehicle.  An- 
other medicine  of  much  efficacy,  is  Dewees'  Yolatile 
Tincture  of  Guiac.  It  is  generally  kept  by  apothe- 
caries, and  is  prepared  as  follows  : 

Take  of  gum  guaiacum,  in  powder  eight  ounces; 
carbonate  of  potash,  or  of  soda,  or  (what  will  answer) 
salaratus,  three  drachms;  allspice,  in  powder,  two 
ounces;  any  common  spirits  of  good  strength,  two 
pounds  or  what  is  about  the  same,  two  pints  and  a 
gill.  Put  all  into  a  bottle,  which  may  be  shaken  now 
and  then,  and  use  of  it  may  be  commenced  in  a  few 
days.  To  every  gill  of  this,  at  least  a  large  teaspoon- 
ful  of  spirits  of  ammonia  is  to  be  added.  A  tea- 
spoonful  is  to  be  taken  for  a  dose,  three  times  a  day 
in  a  glass  of  milk,  cider  or  wine.  It  is  usually  given 
before  eating;  but  if  it  should  chance  to  offend  the 
stomach  when  taken  before  breakfast,  it  may  in  this 
case  be  taken  an  hour  after. 


SEOEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  135 

Arousing  the  Genital  Organs. 

Dr.  Dewees  found  this  tincture,  taken  perhaps  lor 
months,  the  most  effectual  remedy  for  ptiinful  men- 
struation, which  is  an  obstinate  complaint.  If  there 
be  frequent  strong  pulse,  heat,  thirst,  florid  counte- 
nance, etc.,  it  is  not  to  be  taken  until  these  symptoms 
be  removed  by  low  diet,  a  few  doses  of  salts,  and  bleed- 
ing, if  required. 

Another  excellent  plan  to  follow  in  the  treatment  of 
the  genital  organs  is  the  "  water  cure."  A  person 
suffering  with  this  derangement  should  also  have  a 
due  amount  of  exercise.  Sound  health  of  the  bodily 
functions  is  impossible  without  it.  The  heart  and 
lungs  cease  to  work  only  with  the  cessation  of  life, 
and  those  who  imitate  as  it  were  these  involuntary 
organs,  and  continue  to  transact  the  business  of  life 
to  the  last,  be  it  physical  or  mental,  without  falling 
into  the  error  of  over-taxing  their  bodies,  generally 
live  not  only  the  longest  but  the  healthiest  lives. 

In  many  cases  of  sterility,  where  the  general  health 
is  considerably  in  fault,  and  especially  when  the  di- 
gestive organs  are  torpid,  I  should  have  much  confi- 
dence in  a  Thomsonian  course.  It  is  calculated  to 
arouse  the  capillary  vessels  throughout  the  whole  sys- 
tem, and  thus  to  open  the  secretions,  to  remove  ob- 


136  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Time  Woman  is  Most  likely  to  Couceive. 

structions,  and  free  the  blood  of  those  efiete  and 
plilet^mj  materials  which  nature  requires  to  be  thrown 
off.  The  views  of  the  Thomsonian  as  to  heat  and  cold 
appear  to  ine  nnphilosophical.  But  this  has  nothing 
to  do  with  the  efficiency  of  their  measures. 

In  relation  to  sterility,  we  would  here  bring  to 
mind,  what  has  been  before  stated,  that  a  woman  is 
most  likely  to  conceive  immediately  after  a  menstrual 
turn  :  And  now,  also,  let  me  suggest  the  idea  that 
nature's  delicate  beginnings  may  be  frustrated  by  the 
same  means  that  put  her  agoing.  This  idea  is  cer- 
tainly important  when  the  woman  is  known  to  have 
miscarried  a  number  of  times.  Sterility  is  sometimes 
to  be  attributed  to  the  male,  though  he  apparently  be 
in  perfect  health.  It  would  be  an  interesting  fact  to 
ascertain  if  there  be  no  seminal  animalcules  in  these 
cases,  and  whether  medicines  of  any  kind  are  avail- 
able. 

It  has  been  ascertained  that  a  male  and  female  may 
be  sterile  in  relation  to  each  other,  though  neither  of 
them  be  so  with  others. 

The  foregoing  measures  lor  sterility  are  also  suit- 
able in  cases  of  irapotency.  This  term,  we  believe,  is 
generally  confined  to,  and  defined  as   a  want  of  desire 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  137 

The  Root  of  Domestic  Happiness.  ^ 

or  ability,  or  both,  on  the  part  of  the  male  ;  but  we 
see  no  good  reason  why  it  should  not  comprehend  the 
case  in  which  there  is  neither  desire  or  pleasure  with 
the  female.  Such  females,  it  is  true,  may  be  fruitful ; 
but  so  on  the  other  hand,  the  semen  may  not  have 
lost  its  fecundating  property. 

Impotency  at  a  young  or  middle  age,  and  in  some 
situations  in  life  especially,  is  certainly  a  serious  misfor- 
tune, to  say  the  least  of  it.  The  whole  evil  by  no  means 
consists,  in  every  case,  in  the  loss  of  a  source  of  pleas- 
ure. All  young  people  ought  to  be  apprised  of  the 
causes  of  it, — causes  which  in  manj/'  instances  greatly 
lessen  one's  ability  of  giving  and  receiving  that  pleas- 
ure which  is  the  root  of  domestic  happiness.  We 
shall  allude  to  one  cause,  that  of  premature,  and  es- 
pecially solitary  gratification,  in  another  place.  In- 
temperance in  the  use  of  spirits  is  another  powerful 
cause.  Even  a  moderate  use  of  spirits,  and  also  of 
tobacco,  in  any  form,  have  some  effect.  It  is  a  law  of 
the  animal  economy,  that  no  one  part  of  the  system 
can  be  stimulated  or  excited,  without  an  expense  of 
vitality,  as  it  is  termed.  The  part  which  is  stimulated 
draws  the  energy  from  other  parts.  And  hence  it  is, 
that  close  and  deep   study,  as  well  as  all  the  mental 


138  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Kemedies  for  Impotency 

passions  when  excessive,  impair  the  venereal  appe- 
tite. All  excesses,  all  diseases  and  modes  of  life  which 
impair  the  general  health,  impair  his  appetite,  but 
irome  things  more  directly  and  powerfully  than  others. 

As  to  the  remedies  for  impotency,  they  are  much 
the  same  as  for  sterility.  It  is  of  the  first  importance 
that  the  mind  be  relieved  from  all  care  and  anxiety. 
The  general  health  is  to  be  improved  by  temperance, 
proper  exercise  in  the  open  air,  cheerful  company 
change  of  scenery,  or  some  occupation  to  divert  the 
mind  without  requiring  much  exercise  of  it;  nourish- 
ing food  of  easy  digestion ;  flannel  worn  next  the  skin. 
The  cold  bath  may  be  tried,  and  if  it  be  followed  by 
agreeable  feelings,  it  will  do  good.  The  bowels  may 
be  gently  stimulated  by  the  pills  before  mentioned; 
and  preparation  of  iron  also,  already  mentioned,  should 
be  taken. 

To  help  stimulate  the  genital  organs  to  a  healthy 
action  a  due  amount  of  exercise  is  necessary;  if  it  is 
denied,  very  little  benefit  can  be  expected  from  other 
sources,  and  a  steady  impairment  of  the  bodily  func- 
tions will  continue.  It  is  the  utmost  importance  to 
those  who  have  a  bodily  ailment  of  this  kind  that 
they  understand  this  matter  fully. 


SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  130 

Kemedics  for  Impotency. 

By  adopting  a  regular  mode  of  exercise,  and  keep- 
ing the  mind  engaged  in  a  ustifiil  channel,  will,  if  the 
foregoing  is  followed,  lessen  nocturnal  emissions 
very  materially.  In  very  bad  cases  whei-e  little  or  no 
pleasure  or  erection  attend  these  emissions — cases 
brought  on  by  debauchery,  or  in  elderly  persons — we 
would  recommend  that  the  advice  of  a  competent 
physician  be  obtained  before  a  treatment  is  attempted. 

In  the  place  of  a  physician  it  is  best  to  follow  the 
foregoing  rules  until  some  strangury  be  felt,  or  some 
beneht  received.  In  this  afiection,  as  well  as  in  all 
cases  of  impaired  virility,  the  means  I  have  mentioned 
are  to  be  pursued  for  a  long  time,  unless  relief  be  ob- 
tained. These  have  cured  after  having  been  taken  for 
a  year  or  more,  without  the  result.  In  all  cases  of 
impotency  not  evidently  depending  upon  the  disease 
of  some  part  besides  the  genital  organs,  I  should  have 
much  confidence  in  blisters  applied  to  the  lo\7er  part 
of  the  spine. 

Occasional  nocturnal  emissions,  accompanied  with 
erection  and  pleasure,  are  by  no  means  to  be  considered 
a  disease,  though  they  have  given  many  a  one  much  un- 
easiness. Even  if  they  be  frequent,  and  the  system  con- 
siderably debilitated,  if  not  caused  by  debauch,  and 
the  person  be  young,  marriage  is  the  proper  measure- 


140  SECEET   SIXS    OF   SOCIETY. 


Controlled  by  Reason. 


PAET  YII. 

THE  REPRODUCTIVE  INSTINCT. 

TT7E  scarcely  need  observe  that  by  tliis  instinct  is 
meant  the  desire  for  sexual  intercourse.  Bla- 
menbach  speaks  of  this  instinct  as  "  superior  to  all 
others  in  universality  and  violence."  Perhaps  hunger 
is  an  exception.  But  surely  no  instinct  commands  a 
greater  proportion  of  our  thoughts,  or  has  a  greater 
influence  upon  happiness  for  better  or  for  worse. 
"  Controlled  by  reasofl  and  chastened  by  good  feeling, 
it  gives  to  social  intercourse  much  of  its  charm  and 
zest,  but  directed  by  selfishness  or  governed  by  force, 
it  is  prolific  of  misery  and  degradation.  In  itself  it 
appears  to  be  the  most  social  and  least  selfish  of  all 
instincts.  It  fits  us  to  give  even  while  we  receive 
pleasure,  and  among  cultivated  beings  the  former 
power  is  even  more  highly  valued  than  the  latter. 
Not  one  of  our  instincts  perhaps  afibrds  larger  scope 


SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  141 

Controlled  by  Eeason. 

for  the  exercise  of  disinterestedness  or  fitter  play  for 

the  best  moral  feelings  of  our  race,     l^ot  one  gives 

birth  to  relations  more  gentle,  more  humanizing  and 

endearing;  not  one  lies  more  immediately  at  the  root 

of  the  kiadliest  charities  and  most  generous  impulses 

that  honor  and  bless  human  nature.    It  is  a  much  more 

noble,  because  less  purely  selfish  instinct  than  hunger 

or  thirst.    It  is  an  instinct  that  entwines  itself  around 

the  warmest  feelings  and  best  affections  of  the  heart." — 

Moral  Physiology.    But  too  frequently  its  strength, 

together  with  a  want  of  moral  culture,  is  such  that  it 

;      is  not   "controlled   by  reason  ;"   and   consequently, 

I 

I      from  time  immemorial,  it  has  been  gratified,  either 

in  a  mischievous  manner,  or  to  such  an  intemperate 
)     degree,  or  under  such  improper  circumstances,  as  to 
^-give  rise  to  an  incalculable  amount  of  human  misery.  , 
For  this  reason  it  has,  by  some,  been  regarded"  as  a . 
[      low,  degrading,  and  "  carnal "  passion,  with  which  a 
holy  life  must  be  ever  at  war.     But,  in  the  instinct 
itself,  the  philosopher  sees  nothing  deserving  of  de- 
grading ephithets.     He  sees  not  that  nature  should 
war  against  herself.     He  believes  that  in  savage  life 
it  is-,  and  in  wisely  organized  societies  of  duly  en- 


142  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Evil  Consequences. 

lio^htened  and  civilized  beings  it  would  he^  a  source 
of  ten-fold  more  happiness  than  misery. 

A  part  of  the  evil  consequences  to  which  this  in- 
stinct is  daily  giving  rise  under  the  present  state  of 
things,  it  belongs  more  particularly  to  the  moralist  to 
point  out;  whilst  of  others,  it  falls  within  the  province 
of  the  physician  to  treat.  But  let  me  first  remark, 
that  physicians  have  hitherto  fallen  far  short  of  giving 
those  instructions  concerning  this  instinct  which  its 
importance  demands.  In  books,  pamphlets,  journals, 
etc.,  they  have  laid  much  before  the  public  respecting 
eating,  drinking,  bathing,  lacing,  air,  exercise,  etc., 
but  have  passed  by  the  still  more  important  subject 
now  before  us,  giving  only  here  and  there  some  faint 
allusion  to  it.  This,  it  is  true,  the  customs,  not  to  say 
pruderies,  of  the  age  have  compelled  them  to  do  in 
publications  designed  for  the  public  eye,  yet  in  some 
small  work,  indicated  by  its  title  to  be  for  private 
perusal,  they  might  with  the  utmost  propriety  have 
embodied  much  highly  useful  instruction  in  relation 
to  Ihis  instinct. 

Tliis  instinct  is  liable  to  be  gratified  at  improper 
times,  to  an  intemperate  degree,  and  in  a  mischievous 
manner. 


SECKET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  143 

Gratification  of  the  Senses. 

True  philosophy  dictates  that  this  and  all  other  ap- 
petites be  so  gratified  as  will  most  conduce  to  human 
happiness — not  merely  the  happiness  attending  the 
gratification  of  one  of  the  senses,  but  all  the  senses — 
not  merely  sensual  happiness,  but  intellectual — not 
merely  the  happiness  of  the  individual,  but  of  the  hii- 
man  family. 

First,  of  the  times  at  which  this  instinct  ought 
not  to  be  gratified.  "With  females  it  ought  not  to  be 
gratified  until  they  are  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  M'ith  males  not  until  they  are  a  year  or  two 
older.  The  reason  is,  if  they  refrain  until  these  ages, 
the  passion  will  hold  out  the  longer,  and  they  will  be 
able  to  derive  much  more  pleasure  from  it  in  aftei 
life,  than  if  earlier  gratified,  especially  to  any  great 
extent.  A  due  regard  to  health  also  enjoins  with 
most  persons  some  restraint  on  this  instinct — indeed, 
at  all  times,  but  especially  for  a  few  years  after  the 
above-mentioned  ages.  It  ought  not  be  rashly  grat- 
ified at  first.  Begin  temperately,  and  as  the  system 
becomes  more  mature,  and  more  habituated  to  the  ef- 
fects naturally  produced  by  the  gratification  of  this 
instinct,  it  will  bear  more  without  injury. 

Many  young  married  people,  ignorant  of  the  con- 


144:  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Ignorance  of  Young  Married  People. 

sequences,  have  debilitated  the  whole  sj'stem — the 
genital  system  in  particular ;  have  impaired  their 
mental  energies ;  have  induced  consumptive  and 
other  diseases ;  have  rendered  themselves  irritable 
unsocial,  'melancholy,  and  finally,  much  impaired, 
perhaps  destroyed  their  affection  for  each  other  by  an 
undue  gratification  of  the  reproductive  instinct.  In 
almost  all  diseases,  if  gratified  at  all,  it  should  be 
very  temperately.  It  ought  not  to  be  gratified  dur- 
ing menstruation,  as  it  might  prove  productive,  to  the 
man,  of  symptoms  similar  to  those  of  sj-philis,*  but 
more  probably  to  the  woman  of  a  weakening  disease 
called  Jluor  alhus.  In  case  of  pregnancy  a  temperate 
gratification  for  the  first  two  or  three  months  may  be 
of  no  injury  to  the  woman  or  the  forthcoming  off- 
spring. But  it  ought  to  be  known  that  the  growth 
of  the  foetus  in  utero  may  be  impaired,  and  the  seeds 
of  future  bodily  infirmity  and  mental  imbecility  of 
the  offspring  may  be  sown,  by  much  indulgence  dur- 
ino"  utero-gestation  or  pregnancy,  especially  when  the 


*  Gonorrhoea,  or  a  purulent  discharge,  and  not  syphilis,  is  evidently  what 
jS  here  meant  by  Dr.  Knowlton.  The  two  affections  were  at  one  time  cnn- 
founded  together,  and  were  often  thought  to  be  different  forms  of  the  same 
same  disease,  but  they  are  now  known  to  be  quite  distinct.  Syphilis  is  the 
product  of  a  peculiar  blood-poison,  and  never  arises  except  by  contagion, 
from  another  person  suffering  from  a  similar  disease.— {G.  K. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  145 

Temperance  in  all  things. 

woman   experiences   much    pleasure   in  such   indul- 
gences. 

Having  already  glanced  at  some  of  the  bad  effects 
of  an  undue  gratification  of  this  instinct,  we  have  but 
little  more  to  offer  under  the  head  of  Intemperate 
Degree.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  intemperance 
in  this  thing  is  not  to  be  decided  by  numbers,  but 
that  it  depends  on  circumstances;  and  what  would  be 
temperance  in  one,  may  be  intemperance  in  another. 
And  with  respect  to  an  individual,  too,  what  he  might 
enjoy  with  impunity,  were  he  a  laboring  man,  or  a 
man  whose  business  requires  but  little  mental  exer- 
cise, would,  were  he  a  student,  unfit  him  for  the  suc- 
cessful prosecution  of  his  studies.  Intemperance  in 
the  gratification  of  this  instinct  has  a  tendency  to  lead 
to  intemperance  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits.  The 
languor,  depression  of  spirits,  in  some  instances  faint- 
ness  and  want  of  appetite,  induced  by  intemperate 
gratification,  call  loudly  for  some  stimulus,  and  give 
a  relish  to  spirits.  Thus  the  individual  is  led  to  drink. 
This  inflames  the  blood,  the  passions,  and  leads  to 
further  indulgence.  This  again  calls  for  more  spirits; 
and  thus  two  vicious  habits  are  commenced,  which 
mutually  increase  eacli  other.  Strange  as  it  may  ap- 
10 


146  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Loss  of  Semen— Effects  upon  the  System. 

pear  to  those  unacquainted  with  the  animal  economy, 
an  intemperate  indulgence  sometimes  gives  rise  to  the 
same  disease — so  far  as  the  name  makes  it  so — that  is 
frequently  cured  by  a  temperate  indulgence,  viz., 
nocturnal  emissions. 

Every  young  married  woman  ought  to  know  that 
the  male  system  is  exhausted  in  a  far  greater  degree 
than  the  female  by  gratification.  It  seems  indeed  to 
have  but  little  effect,  comparatively,  upon  some  fe- 
males. But  with  respect  to  the  male,  it  has  been  esti- 
mated by  Tissot  that  tlie  loss  of  one  ounce  of  semen 
is  equal  in  its  effects  upon  the  system  of  40  ounces  of 
blood.  As  it  respects  theimmediat3  effects,  tliis  esti- 
mation, generally  speaking,  may  not  be  too  great. 
But  a  man  living  on  a  full  meat  diet  might,  doubtless, 
part  with  fifty  ounces  of  semen  in  the  course  of  a  year, 
with  far  less  detriment  to  the  system  than  with  2,000 
ounces  of  blood. 

It  is  a  fact  that  the  mode  of  living,  independent  of  oc- 
cupation, makes  a  great  difference  with  respect  to  what 
the  system  will  bear.  A  full  meat  diet,  turtles,  oys- 
ters, eggs,  spirits,  wine,  etc,  certainly  promote  the  se- 
cretion of  semen,  and  enable  the  s^^stem  to  bear  its 
emission.     But  a  cool  veoretable  and  milk  diet  calms 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  147 

Unnatural  Habits. 

all  the  fiercer  passions,  the  venereal  especially.  Most 
men  adopting  such  diet  as  this  will  suffer  no  incon- 
venience in  extending  the  intervals  of  their  gratifica- 
tion to  three  or  four  weeks  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  will 
enjoy  clear  intellect,  and  a  fine  flow  of  spirits.  This 
is  the  diet  for  men  of  literary  pursuits,  especially  the 
unmarried. 

As  to  the  mischievous  manner,  it  consists  in  the  un- 
natural habit  of  onanism,  or  solitary  gratification;  it 
is  an  anti-social  and  demoralizing  habit,  which,  while 
it  proves  no  quietus  to  the  mind,  impairs  the  bodily 
powers,  as  well  as  mental,  and  not  unfrequently  leads 
to  insanity. 

"While  the  gratification  of  the  reproductive  instinct 
in  such  manner  as  mentioned  leads  to  bad  consequen- 
ces, as  a  temperate  and  natural  gratification,  under 
proper  circumstances,  is  attended  with  good;  besides 
the  mere  attendant  pleasure,  which  alone  is  enough  to 
recommend  such  gratification.  "We  admit  that  hu- 
man beings  might  be  so  constituted  that  if  they  had 
no  reproductive  instinct  to  gratify,  they  might  enjoy 
health;  but  being  constituted  as  they  are,  this  instinct 
cannot  be  mortified  with  impunity.  It  is  a  fact 
universally  admitted,  that  unmarried   females  do  not 


148  SECKET   SINS  OF   SOCIETY. 

Unnatural  Habita. 

enjoy  so  much  good  health  and  attain  to  so  great  an 
age  as  the  married ;  notwithstanding  that  the  latter 
are  sabject  to  the  diseases  and  pains  incident  to  child- 
bearing.  A  temperate  gratification  promotes  the  se- 
cretions, and  the  appetite  for  food;  calms  the  restless 
passions;  induces  a  pleasant  sleep;  awakens  social 
feeling;  and  adds  a  zest  to  life  whicli  makes  one  con- 
wjious  that  life  is  worth  preserving. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  149 


Human  Desires. 


PAET   YIIT. 

ADAPTATION  OF  THE  SEXES. 

rpHE  human  race  is  perpetuated  through  a  powerful 
■^  instinctive  desire.  The  arousing  of  this  desire 
affects  the  mental  and  moral  feelings,  and  uncon- 
sciously forms  an  attachment  for  the  opposite  sex, 
called  love.  This  is  the  combination  of  reason,  im- 
agination and  moral  feelings.  Wlien  there  is  perfect 
physical  and  mental  adaptation,  the  culmination  of 
this  desire  yields  to  man  the  highest  possible  bliss. 
How  important  it  is,  then,  to  understand  this  law  of 
our  being,  that  we  may  fully  enjoy  nature's  gifts. 

The  human  system  is  the  highest  type  of  organism, 
yet  its  nerves  and  delicate  fibres  have  been  subjected 
to  the  most  demoralizing  influences,  caused  by  igno- 
rance of  nature's  foremost  law. 


150  SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Sex  a  Division  ol  Nature's  Forces. 

Among  tlie  lower  animals,  as  in  the  vegetable 
kingdom,  the  generative  process  is  a  real  necessity 
of  their  condition,  except  in  the  case  of  domestic 
animals,  whose  conditions  have  been  changed  by 
care  and  control  of  man. 

In  the  human  life  this  law  of  necessity  has  been 
so  changed  bv  artificial  conditions,  that  we  have  lost 
sight  of  the  natural  law. 

In  nianj  cases  this  necessity  is  lost  sight  of  alto- 
gether, whereby  the  laws  of  life  and  health  and 
common  decency  are  violated. 

In  the  formation  of  human  life  we  have  the  mas- 
culine and  feminine  law;  the  one  forms  the  external 
productive  labor;  the  other  the  internal,  central  and 
re-productive. 

Sex  is  the  division  of  nature's  forces,  and  the  bet- 
ter these  forces  are  understood,  the  more  perfect  will 
be  the  results.  The  most  perfect  work  will  last  the 
longest,  and  always  supercedes  the  imperfect. 

The  laws  of  personal  transfer  from  the  father  to  the 
embryos  are  involuntary. 

This  model  of  ancestral  type  in  man  is  thrown  off 
as  it  exists  in  his  own  organism,  but  he  does  not 
change  the  moulds  in  which  these  types  are  run.     He 


SECRET    SINS    OP   SOCIETY.  151 

Man's  Power  over  the  Foetus. 

can  only  modify  tliem,  and  improve  the  faculties  of 
his  own  organs.  In  this  way  he  may  make  an  im- 
provement in  the  ancestral  type,  but  it  is  a  personal 
improvement^  which  may  be  transmitted  to  his  chil- 
dren. Pie  possesses  a  great  power  over  the  foetus  in  an 
Indirect  way — through  the  organism  of  the  mother. 

"The  man  cannot  materially  change  his  own  organ- 
ism; neither  could  his  father  have  done  it  by  pei'- 
sonal  transmission;  hut  his  mother,  under  different 
conditions,  could  have  made  him,  in  power  and  spir- 
it, a  very  different  man  from  what  he  is. 

"The  mother  cannot  transcend  the  power  of  her  own 
■system  in  giving  strength  to  the  child;  but,  under 
conditions  of  weariness,  anxiety  and  anguish  of  spirit, 
her  power  may  be  so  absorbed  and  exhausted  that  she 
will  give  birth  to  a  weak,  sad,  spiritless  child;  when, 
under  right  conditions  of  gestation,  she  might  have 
given  birth  to  a  happy,  energetic  being,  whose  organ- 
ism would  have  greatly  improved  the  ancestral  type." 

The  whole  nervous  system  of  the  child  is  transmit- 
ted to  it  by  its  mother.  The  mother  can  give  energy 
and  power  to  the  child,  though  tlie  father  may  be 
comparatively  a  weak  man ;  but  strong,  energetic  men 
are  never   born  from    weak   women,  no   matter  how 


152  SECRET   SIXS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Wrong  and  Rijjht  Conditions  of  Parents. 

strong  the  fatlier  may  be.  The  weakness  of  tlie 
mother  will  descend  to  the  child,  though  a  passive 
woman  may  yield  all  the  strength  of  her  system,  and 
thus  develop  a  strong  and  energetic  man  not  unlike 
his  father  in  character,  hut  the  child  would  have  been 
much  letter  halanced  with  a  stronger  maternal  influ- 
ence. 

The  wrong  conditions  of  the  parents  produce  chil- 
dren that  are  cursed  with  weaknesses,  both  mentally 
and  physically. 

This  is  too  often  the  case;  which  shows  the  unpar- 
donable io-norance  of  men  and  women  regarding  the 
fundamental  laws  of  our  being. 

The  impressions  of  the  mother  have  different  effects 
on  the  male  and  female  fcetus,  because  one  follows  the 
feminine  law,  the  other  the  masculine  law. 

Impressions  of  dislike,  aversion  or  disgust  in  the 
mother  will  produce  the  same  feeling  in  the  daughter; 
whereas  it  might  produce  the  opposite  in  the  son. 

This  country  is  full  of  natural  drunkards  and  liber- 
tines, because  of  the  impressions  received  by  the 
mother  which  were  stamped  upon  the  growing  foetus. 

To  cite  the  fact:  the  daughters  of  a  family  whose 
father  was  a  drunkard,  will  have  a  strong  aversion  to 


SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  153 

Man  and  Woman's  Desire. 

the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks;  whereas,  the  sons  gener- 
ally will  follow  the  course  of  the  father.  If  all  moth- 
ers could  know  their  power  over  the  foetus,  much  of 
the  world's  misery  might  be  prevented. 

jSTo  matter  how  bad  a  man  or  woman  may  be,  it  is 
their  desire  to  have  good  and  noble  children;  and  they 
could  have  them  if  they  would  give  the  tbetus  the 
right  conditions.  It  seems  strange,  when  we  stop  to 
think  of  it,  that  there  is  so  little  knowledge  on  this 
subject  among  people  in' general. 

Children  are  brought  into  this  world  without  their 
knowledge  or  consent,  and  we  owe  to  them  a  right 
inheritance. 

Human  generation  belong  to  woman,  but  its  con- 
ditions  depend  upon  man.  He  surrounds  woman 
with  impressions  that  produce  good  or  bad  results; 
therefore  very  much  depends  on  man's  ruling  power. 

Great  advance  has  been  made  in  knowledge  of  our 
bodies;  and  we  seem  to  be  on  the  borders  of  psycho- 
logical knowledge,  of  w£ich  it  is  bewildering  to  think. 
If  the  knowledge  of  physiology  in  all  its  branches, 
and  of  heredity,  could  be  applied  to  the  production  of 
wiser  and  better  people,  it  would  be  a  fitting  culmina- 
tion of  this  glorious  century.     This  can  be  done  if 


154  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Physica]  and  Moral  Moiibters. 

people  can  be  induced  to  lay  aside  those  scruples 
which  are  plainly  traceable  to  a  wrong  education  re- 
^rardint?  nature's  laws,  "We  used  to  be  tauo-ht  that 
•hildren  come  into  this  world  like  sheets  of  white  pa- 
._)er,  ready  to  receive  whatever  impress  mothers  wished 
or  were  able  to  make.  This  is  all  wrong.  The  proof 
hat  the  mental  power  and  moral  tendencies  of  chil- 
dren are  determined  before  birth,  is  overwhelming. 
Until  this  knowledge  is  accepted  and  people  conscien- 
tiously act  upon  it,  they  will  go  on  lopping  off  the 
branches  of  evil,  instead  of  uprooting  it;  dipping 
away  at  the  broad  current  of  vice,  instead  of  stopping 
its  sources. 

Physical  monsters  are  caused  by  arrested  develop- 
ment through  a  shock  of  some  sort  experienced  by 
the  mother.  May  not  moral  monsters  also  be  caused 
by  sudden  ill-temper,  or  the  indulgence  of  evil  pro- 
pensities? The  stream  of  tendency  may  be  deflected 
from  its  course  by  accidental  causes. 

Marcus  Aurelius,  one  of  the  noblest  and  wisest  of 
men  and  emperors,  was  the  father  of  the  drunken, 
brutal  WTetch,  Coramoders;  the  explanation  being 
that  the  empress  was  a  profligate  woman. 

Who  could  have  thought  that  the  life  led  by  Lilithe 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETT.  155 

Sentiments  Established  During  Matrimony. 

Bonaparte,  a  comparatively  obscure  woman,  during  a 
short  period  would  have  intluencad  the  destinies  of 
millions  and  changed  the  map  of  Europe;  but  from 
her  life  on  horseback,  sharing  the  military  expeditions 
of  her  husband,  made  by  circumstances  intense,  am- 
bitious and  warlike  in  feeling,  came  the  selfish,  in- 
sanely ambitious  and  powerful  Napoleon,  the  only  one 
of  her  large  family  whose  character  was  abnormal  in 
those  directions. 

It  seems  to  be  established  that  the  sentiment  most" 
active  in  the  mother  during  pregnancy  becomes  most 
prominent  in  the  child,  rather  than  those  latent  and 
natural,  but  for  the  time  little  exercised.  If  this  rule 
were  generally  understood,  surprise  at  the  widely 
varying  children  in  the  same  family  would  cease. 

Musicians  have  been  born  into  unmusical  families, 
made  such  by  tlie  effect  of  exquisite  music,  often 
heard,  upon  the  mother's  sensitive  mind,  as  poetical 
children,  refined  and  beautiful,  are  born  into  coarse, 
unlovely  families  from  accidental  influences. 

Persons  of  either  sex,  intending  to  become  parents, 
will  do  well  to  pause  and  consider  whether  a  work  of 
regeneration  in  themselves  ought  not  to  precede 
generation. 


166  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Truths  of  Nature. 

Hold  !  poor,  weakly,  half  demented,  prudish  man  or 
woman,  before  you  denounce  this  book  for  thus  mi- 
nutely describing  the  creative  act  of  man,  the  highest 
of  God's  creatures.  Do  not  the  writers  on  botany 
dwell  carefully  on  the  deposition  of  the  pollen  of  tlie 
plant  and  the  reception  of  the  same,  by  the  stamens  '. 
Did  you  ever  see  a  lady  throw  down  her  work  on 
botany  and  cry  out:  "  Oh,  how  horridly  obscene  this 
is?"  It  is  only  the  weak  and  foolish  that  wince  at  the 
'great  and  wonderful  truths  of  nature,  and  we  only 
wish  that  every  man,  woman  and  child  could  read  this 
book,  and  learn  the  true  relations  and  offices  of  the 
sexual  organs.  « 


SECRET  SINS  OF  SOCIETY.  157 


Desires  of  the  Newly  Married. 


PART  IX. 

PHYSIOLOGY  OF  MARRIAGE. 

"jl/TARRIAGE  is  a  contract  between  male  and  female 
to  cohabit,  and  is  due  notice  to  the  community 
that  they  have  assumed  certain  special  relations.  The 
natural  object  of  these  relations  is  the  consummation  of 
the  desire  to  procreate.  It  is  the  parent  of  fraternal 
love  and  benevolence,  and  under  right  conditions, 
stimulates  us  to  a  good  and  noble  life.  The  most 
healthy  persons  are  the  best  fitted  to  perform  this 
mission  and  more  readily  do  they  unite  in  and  enjoy 
these  relations.  That  woman  who  is  the  most  perfect, 
physically  and  mentally,  the  most  desires  the  matri- 
monial state.  They  find  pleasure  in  the  fulfillment 
of  all  the  obligations  growing  out  of  it,  while  she 
who  fails  in  this  fails  in  all  the  essence  of  woman- 
hood. 

He  is  the  most  perfect  man  who  can  best  fulfill  all 


158  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman's  Special  Magnetism. 

the  requirements  of  the  marriage  state.  Conjugal 
happiness  arises  from  tlie  most  perfect  fulfillment  of 
this  sexual  mission.  Conjugal  alien-ations  grow  out 
of  improper  intercourse.  Wedlock  must  be  right  in 
its  conditions  to  be  enjoyed.  Those  who  would  be 
happy  in  other  respects  must  first  be  happy  in  this. 
The  man  and  woman  must  be  bound  together  as  a 
sexual  unit  to  enjoy  perfect  conjugal  happiness.  The 
sexual  bond  is  tlie  "  tie  that  binds"  us  all,  or  else  is 
the  bone  of  contention. 

Promise  to  marry  involves  the  assurance  of  cohabi- 
tation. The  liusbftnd  who  has  proper  sexual  connec- 
tion with  his  wife  honors  and  gratifies  her,  w^iile  he 
who  fails  here  is  regarded  with  loathing.  Wi^ves  can, 
by  filling  the  office  of  intercourse,  gain  the  greater 
power  over  their  husbands  for  the  accomplishment  of 
their  wishes.  This  charm  is  held  over  men  by  harlots 
for  evil  purposes.  It  might  better  be  employed  by 
wives  for  their  own  good. 

A  man  may  be  over-passionate,  and  disgust  the 
woman.  But  the  shrewd  woman  —  the  woman  of 
tact  and  good  sense  —  can  throw  over  the  man  a  mag- 
netic aura,  whose  influence  shall  be  felt  in  the  quiet- 
ing of  his  passion.     She  can  keep  him  by  her  side, 


SECKKT    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY.  159 

Sexual  Influences. 

pleasurablj  charmed,  until  she  desires  and  he  is  fit  to 
join  in  blissful  intercourse.  Bv  lier  sexual  magnetism 
she  can  lead  him  to  prefer  her  ha])piiiess  and  the 
peace  of  the  home  instead  of  the  gratification  of  gross 
desire.  Slie  can  shield  him  from  the  slough  of  beast- 
liness, or  lead  him  into  temptation.  Her  power  is 
exceeding  great  for  good  or  evil,  and  it  is  her  duty  to 
require  only  that  the  man  shall  act  under  the  rule  of 
manly  self-control.  Married  people  are  under  obliga- 
tions to  society  and  themselves,  and  tiiey  cannot  fulfil 
these  obligations  by  going  to  extremes  in  sexual  com- 
merce. 

Intercourse  is  a  luxury  beyond  any  other,  but  its 
abuse  is  a  blight  upon  the  conjugal  relations.  So 
great  is  the  change  made  in  some  women  by  inter- 
course that  the}''  scarcely  know  themselves.  It  is  the 
same  with  man.  Persons  that  were  before  only  half 
developed,  become  through  the  marriage  relations 
changed  into  a  new  being. 

All  men  and  women  are  susceptible  to  sexual  influ- 
ence, and  their  lives  are  controlled  by  it.  For  good, 
it  may  be  invoked  by  good  women.  In  bad  women 
it  is  perverted,  ajid  becomes  a  power  for  mischief  and 
^n  element  of  ruin. 


160  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Action  of  Love  Power  Beyond  our  Control. 

Those  persons  who  many  and  afterward  become 
alienated  or  disgusted,  will  find,  on  self-examination, 
that  they  have  unwittingly  dropped  down  to  the  ani- 
mal plane  of  indulgence,  and  degraded  the  laws  of 
the  sexual  functions.  It  is  abuse  of  the  sexual  office 
which  takes  the  charm  out  of  love,  and  makes  mar- 
ried people  unhappy.  Many  persons,  under  cover  of 
marriage,  seek  to  gratify  lust  instead  of  carrying  out 
the  benign  principle  of  love.  Hence  the  ranks  of  so- 
ciety are  full  of  married  loathers  and  broken  down 
bodies.  This  demoralizes  the  social  element,  and 
brings  down  o^  decency  and  virtue  the  tirade  of  ob- 
loquy. 

Marriage  is  begotten  by  love,  and  is,  therefore,  a 
necessity.     It  is  ingrained  in  the  whole  being. 

Man  is  incompetent  to  resist  the  impulse  to  act  upcn 
the  sexual  plane.  Having  been  endowed  by  IS'ature 
with  nerves,  he  must  feel,  and  permeated  through  by 
that  subtlest  of  all  elements — love — he  must  act. 
Love  commands  all  the  elements,  and  all  must  obey 
its  mandates.  It  cannot  be  successfully  resisted  any 
more  than  the  motion  of  worlds  in  their  orbits. 

In  mankind  it  is  the  mastering  emotion.  In  pro- 
portion to  the  sexual  state  of  persons,  it  is  weak  or 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  161 

The  Promptings  of  Nature's  Forces. 

strong,  and  aifords  most  satisfaction  and  benefit  to 
those  who  conform  to  its  principles.  Love  is  stronger 
than  money;  more  men  work  for  money  to  spend  on 
women  they  love,  than  for  any  other  purpose.  They 
give  sparingly  in  dollars  to  the  chnrch,  public  chari- 
ties, amusements  and  vanities,  as  compared  with  their 
their  gifts  to  love.  "Women  are  eager  in  the  employ- 
ment of  means  to  enamor  men.  All  the  arts  of  the 
toilet  is  used  that  they  may  captivate  and  draw  the 
attention  of  men. 

Men  in  all  departments  of  life  work  diligently  for 
money  to  bring  comfort  and  good  cheer  to  loved  ones. 
They  spend  most  for  that  which  brings  them  the 
most  happiness. 

The  institution  of  marriage  is  made  divine  by  love, 
out  of  which  it  grows.  It  is  sanctified  only  by  love, 
that  power  which  takes  the  deepest  hold  upon  human 
nature.  One  must  bow  down  to  its  behest,  and  care 
for  his  owner  night  and  day.  The  whole  life  is  mod- 
ified and  made  happier  by  it.  There  is  a  force  in  its 
promptings  which  impels  one  to  the  choice  of  a  sexual 
associate  from  the  opposite  sex.  It  should  be  our 
pleasure,  as  it  is  our  duty,  to  supply  this  sexual  need. 

Thosd  who  suffer  for  the  want  of  it,  suffer  as  the  hun- 
11 


162  SECRET  siKS  OF  socip:tt. 

Perfect  Conjugal  Life. 

grj  for  food,  Manhood  is  rendered  incomplete  and 
miserable  without  lo^e.  Those  who  do  not  love,  lose 
the  best  gifts  of  nature. 

There  is  something  in  each  one  which  responds  to 
the  idea  of  paring  with  a  member. of  the  opposite  sex. 
Those  most  inclined  choose  their  opposites,  and  "live 
and  love  forever."  They  regard  union  as  a  "  pearl  of 
great  price,"  which,  when  found,  is  never  to  be  thrown 
away.  Those  deficient  in  this  feeling  are  unstable, 
frivolous  and  false,  loving  liglitly  here  and  there,  as 
mere  impulse  leads  them.  The  love  of  one  is  genuine 
love.  It  cannot  bless  other  than  its  one  chosen  object. 
"Wrapped  up  in  true  love  is  virtue,  and  this,  so  valued 
by  all,  will  be  more  and  more  honored  as  time 
rolls  on. 

All  prize  that  wliich  prom(-)tes  enjoyment,  and 
loathe  whatever  makes  them  wretched.  Enjoyment 
comes  in  many  forms,  but  the  reciprocity  of  love  is 
unequalled  by  any  other  joys.  The  first  contact  of  a 
loving  couple  renders  the  second  more  pleasurable, 
and  all  succeeding  intercourse  sacred.  The  lonorer 
they  live  together,  the  sweeter  life  will  be.  A  life 
filled  thus  with  actual  love-experiences,  all  centered 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  163 

Every  Requirement  of  Love  Fulfilled  in  Marriage. 

in  the  same  conjugal  partner,  may  be  set  down  as 
sacred  and  worth  the  living. 

Love  extends  from  the  honeymoon  to  old  age.  It 
does  not  naturally  die  out.  The  young  and  old  enjoy 
this  love-life  with  equal  relish,  and  delight  in  its  deep- 
est, holiest  charm.  The  old  in  years  will  feel  the  vig- 
or of  youth  in  the  ratio  of  their  obedience  to  the  law 
of  love.  The  young  will  become  infirm  b}'-  violating 
that  law.  Love  claims  its  object  as  exclusively  its 
own,  as  illustrated  by  such  terms  as  "my  own  dear 
one,"  "my  husband,"  "my  wife." 

Love  has  its  perfect  adaptation  and  exercise  in  mar- 
riage. 

Nothing  else  will  meet  its  desires.  Therein  it  ob- 
tains its  full  measure  of  activity  and  culture. 

Only  in  marriage  can  love  be  rightly  consummated. 
Therein  love  is  divinely  ordered,  and  those  who  love 
are  loved  and  exalted.  Those  who  do  not  love  are 
condemed  for  neglect  of  manhood's  duties,  while  those 
who  assume  love  privileges  outside  of  marriage,  are 
censured  for  its  perversion.  Marriage  is  the  only 
plane  on  which  to  carry  out  the  promptings  of  the  love 
element.     All  else  fails  to  meet  this  great  aim  of  life 


IGi  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 


The  Relations  of  Man  and  Woman  on  their  Wedding  Night. 


PAET  X. 

COHABITING  ERRORS— EMBARRASSMENTS—UNDUE 
*       HASTE— MARITAL  EXCESSES,  ETC. 


rpHE  relations  of  man  and  woman  on  tlie  niglit  follow- 
ing  the  marriage  ceremony,  liav^e  everything  to  do 
with  their  future  happiness. 

Wives  by  millions  look  back  to  this  night  as  by 
far  tlie  worst,  most  sickening,  and  loathed  of  their 
whole  lives.  It  makes  many  downright  sick  for  day?, 
and  miserable  forever  after.  For  weeks  previous  to 
the  marriage  ceremony  she  has  been  an  object  of  com- 
miseration and  sympathy  by  all  the  old  women  and 
young  girls  of  her  acquaintance.  It  is  not  so  much 
at  what  has  been  said  as  what  has  been  mysteriously 
hinted  at  by  looks  and  actions — more  suggestive  tlian 
words.  She  has  been  led  to  believe  that  this  night  is 
to  be  one  of  unspeakable  horror  and  torment;  that  her 
virginity  and  her  utmost  capacity  for  physical  pain  is 


SECKET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY  165 

Shrinking  Timidity— Ungovernable  Boldness. 

to  he  offered  as  a  sacrifice  at  this  marriage-feast.  She 
is  jaded  and  worn  out,  and  above  all,  frightened.  In 
this  state  she  is  incapable  of  the  faintest  spark  of  sex- 
ual passion — in  no  condition  for  a  sexual  repast.  And 
yet  she  is  to  receive  a  husband,  who  in  the  majority 
of  cases  has  obtained  his  education  for  this  occasion  in 
the  brothel,  By  nature  kind  and  considerate,  but  his 
whole  thoughts  and  experiences  center  upon  the  con- 
summation of  this  sexual  feast. 

These  differences  of  forces,  shrinking  timidity  and 
ungovernable  boldness  assuming  sexual  conjunctions, 
is  terrible  indeed.  Assaulted,  actually  forced,  she  is 
left  mangled  and  terrified.  !No  wonder  that  she  is  dis- 
appointed, humbled,  ashamed  and  maddened.  No  won- 
der that  the  affections  of  the  stricken  woman  are  well 
nigh  crushed  out.  'No  wonder  that  her  mental  ejacu- 
lation is — O,  that  I  had  not  married  !  He  has  killed 
his  own  love  for  her,  and  thrown  all  her  feelings  in 
revolt  against  him  thereby  almost  betraying  both. 
Recovery  from  a  shock  thus  horrible  is  ahnost  im- 
possible. 

Through  the  long  and  dreary  hours  of  that 
night  she  listens  to  the  heavy  respirations  of  her 
gross  companion,  whose  slightest  movement   causes 


166  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Secret  of  the  Fall  of  Married  Women. 

her  to  shrink  with  terror.  She  is  fortunate  in- 
deed if  her  miseries  be  not  renewed  ere  she  leaves  tlie 
bridal  chamber.  Under  such  circumstances,  is  it  a 
wonder  that  the  loves  of  both  have  perished  together, 
victims  of  sexual  errors?  Again  and  again  these 
nights  of  horror  are  repeated,  each,  if  possible,  more 
hateful  than  the  'first,  until  her  monster  rests  from 
sheer  exhaustion.  Passion  is  forever  killed,  or  if  capa- 
ble of  resuscitation,  is  not  at  the  hands  of  him  who  de- 
stroyed it.  It  ma}'^  be  that  another  can  awaken  the 
slumbering  spark,  and  when  that  time  does  come,  the 
flame  will  be  all  the  wilder  for  the  rights  it  has  been 
denied.  Should  this  tremendous  passion  be  awakened, 
and  the  restraints  of  religion  do  not  protect  her,  op- 
portunity and  the  occasion  are  sure  to  carry  the  day. 
Herein  lies  one  of  the  secrets  of  the  fall  of  married 
"women,  and  the  few  revelations  bear  but  a  small  pro- 
portion to  the  number  of  such  falls. 

Intrigue  and  adultery  stalk  boldly  through  the 
laud,  and  by  the  devil's  own  cunning  are  enabled  to 
carry  on  their  nefarious  practices  almost  in  the  face 
and  eyes  of  the  public.  The  number  of  hoodwinked 
people  in  this  world  is  astonishing,  as  the  few  revela- 
tions will  bear  testimony. 


SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  1G7 

Nuptial  Chamber— Advice  to  the  Husband. 

If  there  was  no  remedy  to  offer  for  this  sickening 
exposure  we  should  deem  the  foregoing  too  wanton 
for  apology.  Young  husbands  should  wait  for  an  in- 
vitation to  this  banquet  of  love,  and  they  will  be  amply 
repaid  by  the  very  pleasures  sought.  If  the  treat- 
ment of  this  indomitable  passion  in  the  boy  could  be- 
gin at  its  earliest  manifestations,  and  follow  him 
through  the  dangerous  years,  it  would  be  well.  But 
as  this  is  impossible  in  the  present  state  of  affairs,  we 
must  take  him  as  he  is  when  he  closes  the  door  to  the 
nuptial  cliamber — perhaps  a  "  reformed  rake,"  and 
say  to  him  in  solemn  warning,  "hold!"  In  your 
keeping  we  place  the  destinies  of  this  shrinking  wo- 
man, for  wedded  happiness  or  wedded  woe,  and  upon 
your  tranquility  and  peace  of  mind  depend,  per- 
haps, the  welfare  of  you  both.  "  Be  cautious  how 
you  investigate  the  mysteries  before  you.  Yoii 
have  need  of  all  the  self-possession  and  fortitude 
you  can  possibly  summon  to  your  aid,  in  this  great 
emergency.  Instincts  of  nature  will  avail  you  noth- 
ing, for  they  have  probably  been  brutalized  in  you. 
You  have  the  double  task  before  you  of  curbing 
yours,  and  developing  that  of  another.  The  instincts 
of  nature  in  this  case  would  probably  make  the  mar- 


168  SECRKT    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Advice  to  the  Husband. 

riage  consnraiiiation  a  very  awkward  proceeding,  for 
nature  lias  got  these  instincts  sadly  out  of  time  for 
both  of  you. 

'By  proper  caution  and  delicacy  on  your  part  they 
may  be  harmonized,  and  thus  a  perfect  accord  se- 
cured. Your  first  words  should  be  those  of  assurance 
and  sympathy.  Assure  her  that  all  her  apprehensions 
are  groundless  as  far  as  you  are  concerned,  and  that 
no  consummation  shall  occur  until  her  wishes  and 
yours  exactly  harmonize.  Above  all,  inform  her  that 
whenever  your  liappy  marriage  shall  be  consummated, 
neither  violence  or  suflering  shall  attend  it,  but  per- 
fect reciprocal  happiness  shall  crown  the  act. 

You  should  know  that  gentle  moderation  and  rea- 
sonable cultivation  of  her  womanly  passions  will  en- 
able you  to  fulfill  your  pledge  to  the  very  letter. 
You  should  know  that  in  rare  cases,  days,  and  even 
weeks,  must  elapse  before  entire  consummation  can  be 
efiected  ;  but  when  it  does  occur  the  slight  pain  she 
will  sufier  will  be  of  such  a  character  as  will  increase 
rather  than  diminish  her  pleasure.  Experience  will 
teach  that  deliberation  and  prudence.  The  slightest 
intimation  of  pain  or  of  fear  should  warn  you  to  de- 
desist,  as  under  no  circumstances  should  violence  be 
used  that  ^-  "ot  obviously  invited  and  shared. 


SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  169 

Advice  to  the  Newly  Married. 

Beware  of  committing  a  veritable  outrage  on  the 
person  given  into  your  hands  for  a  life  companion. 
Take  time ;  haste  shortens  and  kills,  while  delibera- 
tion prolongs  and  enriches  its  enjoyments.  How  can 
you  enjoy  as  much  in  two  minutes  as  you  can  in  ten? 
All  husbands  should  humor  and  assuage  female 
modesty,  and  overcome  'it  by  approachiiig  gently 
and  gradually.  Little  things  often  embarrass  young 
females  much;  then  why  not  humor  those  embarrass- 
ments ?  Every  female  should  overcome  this  if  possi- 
ble, for  when  agitated  she  can  neither  give  nor  take 
pleasure  in  it,  and  will  dissatisfy  and  be  dissatisfied. 
Embarrassment  has  no  place  in  the  sexual  embrace, 
and  she  must  lay  aside  all  squeamishness,  and  even 
modesty,  so  far  as  it  infringes  on  the  perfect  self- 
abandon.  Young  husbands,  you  should  avoid  the  com- 
mon error  of  undue  haste  in  your  wedded  career.  Be 
always  assured  that  your  wife  is  in  entire  sympathy 
with  your  own  condition.  It  is  rare  that  two  natures 
are  exactly  in  harmony  with  each  other,  and  the  rule 
should  be  for  the  one  who  loves  the  most  to  measure 
his  ardor  by  the  one  who  loves  the  least. 

It  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that  the  marriage  cere- 
mony removes  all  restraint  from  the  exercise  of  the 


170  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


How  often  may  the  Conjugal  Act  bo  Repeated. 

sexual  functions.     No  positive  rule  can  be  given   on 
this  subject,  as  there  are  such  a  great  variety  of  indi- 
v'idual  temperaments,  state  of  health,  etc.,  but  gener- 
il  principles  can  be  given.      "Woman  should  be  the 
inal  umpire  as  to  its  frequency,  as  she  cannot  always 
"■e  prepared,  and  should  be  left  to  determine  when  s]ie 
3.     Following  her  lead  will  conduct  all  to  connubial 
bliss,  except  when  a  sickly  one  decides  wrongly,  and 
even  then  her  husband  should  accept  the  situation. 
Sometimes  nynphomania  makes   her   require   undue 
frequency.     Man  should  never  gratify  his  own  desire 
at  the  expense  of  his  wife's  comfort  or   inclination. 
Lawful  pleasures  of  wedlock  should  never  be  permit 
ted  to  degenerate  into  mere  animal  lust,  and  in  all 
cases  never  to  excel  the  limits  of  fond  desire.    An  un- 
bridled indulgence  in  wedlock  often  kindles  passional 
fires,  which  inflame  and  exhaust  the  sexual  functions, 
Franklin's  rule  for  eating — to  rise  from  the  table 
with  an  appetite  for  more — may  be  applied  to  the  con- 
jugal act ;  never  repeat    so  frequently  but   that   the 
ability  exists  on  both  sides  for  further  indulgence. 

A  woman  of  a  strong  and  passionate  organization, 
will  often  ruin  a  man  of  feebler  sexual  functions,  and 
it  is  important  that  she  should  be  familiar  with  the 


SECRET    SINS    OF   SOcIeTT.  171 

Both  Sides  Require  Moderation— A  Sample  Case. 

"  pbjsiolog}''  of  marriage,"  enough  so,  at  least,  to  re, 
frain  from  too  frequent  demands.  She  should  always 
remember  that  delicacy  as  well  as  common  sense  re- 
quire her  to  await  the  advances  of  her  companion  be- 
fore she  manifests  a  desire  for  his  aj^proaches. 

A  nian  is  bound  to  respect  the  temporary  condi- 
tions of  his  wife,  and  she,  on  her  part,  is  bound  equally 
to  preserve  to  her  husband  an  amount  of  womanly  re- 
serve. This  reserve  will  prove  to  her  a  most  alluring 
attribute,  as  well  as  a  guarantee  of  her  future  conjugal 
happiness. 

In  a  letter  from  a  patient  to  her  physician,  she  says: 
"  I  informed  my  husband  of  the  doctor's  positive  in- 
junction, to  which  he  promised  a  cheerful  obedience, 
and  we  commenced  to  occupy  separate  a]3artments. 
But  after  three  or  four  days  he  came  to  me  one  morn- 
ing, and  insisted  on  my  complying  with  his  wishes. 
In  vain  I  pleaded  my   physician's  instructions.     He 

urged  the  following  plea:  '  Mrs. ■,  I  toil  early  and 

late  at  my  business,  and  amass  wealth,  which  I  lavish 
freely  upon  you  ;  I  give  you  horses  and  carriages, 
servants,  social  position,  and  luxuries  of  every  sort, 
(Oh,  doctor,  if  he  would  only  give  me  the  luxury  of 
letting  me  alone,)  and  I  only  ask  in  return    that  you 


172  SEOEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman  cught  to  Control  her  Own  Body. 

accord  to  me  vay  just  and  lawful  rights  as  your  hus- 
band. The  doctor  is  paid  for  curing  you — lie  must 
know  enough  to  do  it  without  such  an  unnecessary 
'  restriction.'  Oh,  doctor,  what  could  I  do  ?  There 
was  much  force  in  what  he  said,  and  it  seemed  cold 
and  selfish  in  me  to  refuse."  Now,  when  it  is  consid- 
ered that  this  woman  was  suffering  from  a  connubial 
inflammation  of  the  bladder,  womb  and  rectum,  and 
that  that  act  could  only  be  attended  with  absolute  tor- 
ture, the  brutal  selfishness  is  apparent  to  all.  This 
case  is  not  an  extreme  one,  as  hundreds  will  testify. 
Physicians  have  the  greatest  difficulty  in  treating  such 
cases  wherever  continence  becomes  a  necessity. 

Man's  very  nature  is  hard,  selfish  and  tyrannical  to 
woman.  Christianity  has  in  a  great  many  respects 
ameliorated  the  condition  of  woman,  but  it  has  shown 
a  surprising  difiidence  in  dealing  with  the  brutalities 
which  she  is  subjected  in  the  marriage  chamber. 
A  woman  of  distinction  once  said:  "When  my  hus- 
band closes  the  door  of  our  apartments  at  night,  he  is 
no  longer  a  man — li-e  is  a  monster."  For  a  woman  to 
be  subjected  to  the  most  hellish  tortures  under  the 
forms  of  "  marital  rights  "  there  seems  to  be  no  redress, 
either  in  "  Church  or  State,"  for  they  both  say:  "  Your 
duty  to  your  husband  is  submission.'* 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  173 

Legal  Excuse  to  Destroy  Each  Other— Importance  of  Sexual  Science. 

Under  the  present  regime  there  is  committed  more 
intemperate  excesses  in  sexual  commerce,  than  wom- 
ankind should  ever  be  compelled  to  submit  to. 

With  too  many  people  marriage  seems  to  bring  a 
mind  and  body-destroying  tendency  by  giving  the 
sexes  legal  license  to  invade,  pollute  and  destroy  each 
other.  But  when  mankind  learns  to  obey  the  higher 
law  of  nature,  health,  which  under  existing  marital 
customs  is  so  recklessly  secrificed,  will  then  be  insured. 

In  view  of  the  grave  importance  of  a  proper  elucida- 
tion of  these  principles,  strange  it  is,  that  the  investi- 
gation of  correct  sexual  relations  have  so  long  been 
neglected  by  the  great  mass  of  mankind,  and  diseased, 
degraded,  suffering  humanity,  is  left  to  wander  into 
the  dark  and  intricate  mazes  of  ignorance;  and  by 
marriage  customs  fools  are  permitted  to  rush  in  where 
angels  scarce  should  dare  approach.  Go  where  we 
may,  into  our  various  institutions  of  learning,  and  we 
will  find  these  pupils  engaged  in  studies  of  compara- 
tively little  importance,  while  that  great  and  beautiful 
science  which  teaches  us  the  nature  of  ourselves  and 
our  relations  to  each  other,  to  external  universe,  and 
the  perfect  system  of  laws  which  govern  all  nature,  is 
passed  by  unheeded. 


174  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Mankind's  unfa  miliarity  with  the  Formation  of  the  Human  Race. 

There  are  a  few  objects  indeed  with  which  we  are  less 
acquainted  than  with  our  own  natures;  and  yet  we 
are  continually  acting  as  though  we  were  familiar  with 
ourselves,  our  capacities,  our  wants,  and  the  means  of 
improving  our  moral,  physical  and  intellectual  condi- 
tion, which  can  never  be  accomplished  until  judgment 
begins  at  "  the  liouse  of  God;"  and  every  earnest 
worker  who  desires  to  assist  in  rebuilding  the  walls 
of  scathed  and  shattered  humanity,  must  commence 
by  "each  man  repairing  the  breach  over  against  his 
own  house."  Mankind  as  a  mass,  should  be  more 
perfectly  familiar  with  the  nature  of  that  beautiful 
organization  whicli  constitutes  the  creation  and  for- 
mation of  the  human  race,  as  also  well  drilled  and  disci- 
plined in  obedience  to  those  unchangeable  laws  which 
regulate  development  and  maintain  healthy  action 
down  to  the  lowest  period  of  life. 

It  seems  strange  that  some  relief  should  not  be 
given  to  unfortunate  victims  of  beastly  and  licentious 
men. 

In  order  that  married  people  should  fully  enjoy  co- 
habitation to  a  natural  extent,  in  a  perfectly  natural 
and  healthy  manner,  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
both,  it   should    be   their  study  to  observe  nature's 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  175 

Sexual    Frenzy. 

laws  and  demands,  and  engage  in  coition  only  for  the 
purpose  of  fraternity,  and  that  only  when  both  are 
cool,  quiet  and  unexcited.  This  is  an  excitable  ag3 
and  nation,  and  this  redoubles  false  excitement  at  co- 
habitation, yet  makes  self-control  then  doubly  impor- 
tant. That  sexual  frenzy  thus  created  is  most  inju- 
rious to  offspring,  by  rendering  them  most  irritable, 
impulsive,  furious,  and  wild  with  false  excitements, 
which  promotes  demoralization  and  prevents  enjoy- 
ment. And  the  more  nervous  the  parties,  the  great- 
ter  their  need  of  self-possession  then.  So  both  should 
be  deliberate  and  quiet  and  not  agitate  each  other. 

Bridal  embarrassment  works  this  same  evil,  yet  it  is 
almost  universal,  especially  in  young  females.  All 
males  should  humor  and  assuage  this  female  modesty, 
and  overcome  it  by  approaching  gently  and  gradually. 
Every  female  should  overcome  it;  or  if  this  is  impos- 
sible, postpone  or  abstain;  for  when  agitated,  she 
can  neither  give  nor  take  pleasure  in  it,  and  will 
dissatisfy  and  be  dissatisfied  by  it.  She  is  the  one  to 
say  aye  or  no;  and  if  "  aye,"  must  surmount  all  em- 
barrassment, lay  aside  all  queamishness,  and  all  mod- 
esty, so  far  as  it  inl'ringes  on  this  required  perfect 
abandon. 


176  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Examples  of  Animals— The  Enhancement  of  Drapery. 

Haste  doubles,  delay  halves,  both  nervous  excite- 
ment and  embarrassment.  This  function  should  be  be- 
gun very  gently  and  slowly;  because  it  must  martial 
every  human  function,  which  takes  time.  Animals 
set  us  examples  here,  especially  females,  by  keeping 
the  male  at  bay.  Nature  always  spoils  it,  unless  she 
is  allowed  this  leisure;  because  haste  must  mar  or 
prevent  progeny.  Then  how  perfectly  obvious  that 
whenever  pleasure  is  its  "  chief  end,"  both  should 
"  take  their  time,"  because  haste  shortens  and  kills, 
while  deliberation  both  prolongs  and  enriches  its  en- 
joyments. 

How  can  they  possibly  enjoy  as  much  in  two  min- 
utes as  in  twenty?  especially  when  they  enjoy  not  half 
as  much  fcr  minute.  Something  should  always  be 
held  in  reserve,  no  less  than  her  capacity  for  bestow- 
ing and  receiving  enjoyment,  than  of  her  own  peculiar 
charms.  Tlie  imagination  should  always  be  left  to  oc- 
cupy itself  in  depicting  those  treasures  which  it  has 
enjoyed  but  never  beheld;  and  thus  the  husband  will 
remain  the  lover,  and  courtship  continue  until  death 
do  them  part.  In  the  estimation  of  men,  drapery  en- 
hances the  female  attraction  of  person,  and  the  rustle 
of  a  woman's  garment  is  more  potent  to  charm  than 
he  lavish  exposure  of  the   proportions  of   a  Yenus. 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  177 


Its  EflFect  on  the  Sacred  Interests  of  Society. 


PAKT  XI. 

DIVORCES  AND  FAMILY  DISCORDS. 

A  I^OTHER  great  evil  of  the  day,  and  one  which 
menaces  the  most  sacred  interests  of  society,  is 
the  facility  with  which  divorces  may  he  obtained. 

The  number  of  divorces  applied  for  in  those  States 
where  they  are  the  most  easily  obtained,  tell  a  story  of 
conjugal  infelicity  almost  beyond  belief,  and  yet  not  one 
in  twenty  apply  who  would  gladly  do  so  but  for  its 
odium,  the  breaking  up  of  families,  evils  to  their 
children,  or  business,  or  some  other  like  motives. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Episcopal  conference,  held  in 
'New  York  on  April  11,  a  report  on  divorce  was  rea'l. 
The  report  stated  that  divorces  were  obtained  on  tlie 
most  frivolous  pretexts.  In  New  England  the  propor- 
tion of  divorces  was  one  to  eleven  marriages.  The 
frequency  with  which  divorces  were  obtained  and  the 
laxity  of  popular  sentiment  on  the  subject  wereshock- 
12 


178  SECEET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Divorce  Reform  called  for. 

inff.  It  was  not  to  be  disguised  that  severences  of 
the  marriage  tie  were  the  direct  outgrowth  of  ungodly 
lust  seeking  new  affinities. 

There  ought  to  be  a  reform  m  our  divorce  laws,  and 
the  people's  neglect  in  this  matter  has  already  be- 
come a  great  national  wrong,  if  not  a  crime.  TJpon 
this  subject  we  add  the  following  ably  prepared  arti- 
cle in  Demoresf s  Monthly: 

"It  should  be  especially  interesting  to  the  women, 
and  the  male  sex  can  but  indorse  the  sentiments  : 
Surely  women  ought  to  rise  as  one  man  (no  joke  in- 
tended) against  our  absurd  divorce  laws.  They  ought 
to  hold  conventions  in  every  State,  and  national  con- 
ventions once  a  year,  to  urge  an  amendment  to  the 
federal  Constitution,  making  the  laws  affecting  the 
relation  of  the  sexes  uniform  in  every  State  of  the 
union.  Under  our  present  State  enactments,  a  man 
may  be  married  in  New  Jersey,  yet  be  a  single  per- 
son in  New  York ;  while  a  woman  might  be  in  the 
eyes  of  the  law  a  wife  in  one  State,  and  a  concubine 
in  another.  Then  there  are  complications  about  chil- 
dren and  property,  which  are  a  source  of  confusion 
and  loss,  as  well  as  a  social  discomfort,  for  which  really 
there  is  no  necessity." 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  179 

Its  Complications. 

In  New  York  a  person  divorced  for  cause  cannot 
re-marrj.  But  in  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey  tliere 
is  no  impediment  to  their  taking  another  legal  part- 
ner. In  the  meantime,  precedents  are  being  estab- 
lished of  a  very  grave  and  dangerous  character.  A 
woman  in  Illinois  claimed  a  portion  of  the  estate  of  a 
married  man  after  his  death.  She  proved  that  a  con- 
tract existed  by  which  she  was  to  receive  a  certain 
portion  of  his  estate,  in  consideration  of  having  lived 
with  him  and  borne  him  children.  Judge  Miller,  of 
the  United  States  Circuit  Court,  a  high  authority  in 
legal  matters,  decided  that  the  contract  was  a  valid 
one,  and  the  money  was  paid  over  to  the  woman.  If 
this  decision  holds  good,  then  it  is  idle  to  talk  of  il- 
licit relations  between  men  and  women.  For  con- 
cubinage, on  the  basis  of  a  contract,  has  the  sanction 
of  the  law.  At  this  time  the  French  chamber  is  dis- 
cussing the  question  of  divorce.  In  France  marriage 
is  indissoluble,  a  fact  which  has  proved  a  very  great 
hardship  in  many  cases.  It  is  proposed  to  permit  di- 
vorces under  certain  circumstances. 

M.  Cazot  was  the  principal  opponent  in  the  senate, 
and  his  argument  was  that  the  men  of  France  did  not 
require  any  law  of  divorce,  as  custom  or  convention 


ISO  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

What  Good  Men  and  Pure  Women  demand. 

gave  them  all  the  freedom  in  marriage  which  they 
wanted  This  sneer  at  marriage  was  received  with 
applause.  Indeed  this  question  of  marriage  and  di- 
vorce is  agitating  every  country  in  Christendom. 
But  all  good  men  and  pure  women  should  unite  in 
demanding  marriage  laws  which  would  preserve  the 
sanctity  of  the  home,  and  secure  to  children  the  care 
and  oversight  of  both  parents.  Why  don't  the  women 
move  in  this  matter? 

The  statistics  of  divorces  are  appalling.  In  the 
good  old  State  of  Maine,  the  number  of  separation  of 
husband  from  wife  is  steadily  on  the  increase.  There 
are  twenty-three  divorces  to-day  where  one  occurred 
fifty  years  ago,  and  so  throughout  the  country.  We 
live  in  an  age  when  discontent  is  rife  and  traveling  is 
easy  and  cheap,  and  the  temptation  to  seek  fresh  fields 
and  pastures  new  is  ever  present. 

Marriage  is  no  longer  regarded  as  a  religious  sacra- 
ment. It  is  a  civil  contract,  amenable  to  the  pas- 
sion and  caprices  of  the  parties  to  it,  and  the  result  is 
dissevered  homes,  perpetual  estrangement  of  people 
who,  in  the  olden  times,  would  have  lived  fairly  com- 
fortable lives  together.  And,  worse  than  all,  in  tens 
of  thousands  of  homes  are  children,  deprived,  some  of 


SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  181 

. • . 

Rights  of  Children— The  most  Prolific  Cause. 

a  mother's  care,  others  of  a  father's  protection.  The 
birth  of  children  carries  with  it,  of  necessity,  the  in- 
idssolubility  of  the  marriage  tie.  The  child  has  a 
right  to  demand  the  care  of  both  its  parents  until  it 
becomes  of  age.  As  this  involves  at  least  twenty  years, 
other  children  ai'e  born  in  the  interval,  and  so  the 
union  naturally  becomes  one  for  life.  "Whenever  par- 
ents separate,  they  do  cruel  wrong  to  their  offspring, 
and  should  be  under  the  ban  of  society  for  so  doing. 
Are  there  no  ministers,  male  or  female,  to  uphold  the 
sanctity  of  the  home,  and  to  demand  that  they  who 
bring  children  into  the  world  shall  sacrifice  their  own 
vagrant  fancies  for  the  sake  of  their  offspring  ? 

There  are  various  causes  that  contribute  to  the  dis- 
solution of  the  marriage  tie.  The  most  prolific  is  in- 
considerate marriages,  and  the  escape  from  them  is  so 
easy  that  mutual  adaptation  is  wholly  overlooked  by 
the  contracting  parties.  The  great  majority  of  mar- 
ried couples  are  seriously  dissatisfied.  Thousands 
consult  about  their  conjugal  differences — though 
these  are  the  last  things  disclosed,  unless  compelled 
by  aggravating  suffering,  without  then  telling  half 
their  troubles.  Secrets  that  are  down  deep  in  the 
heart  remain  untold — closed   against   all  confessions. 


1S2  SECRET    SIXS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Degrad  tio  i  of  Social  Powers. 

Smouldering  fires  burn  slowlj,  but  surely,  and  the 
charred  remains  of  their  soul-vitals  lay  in  a  smothered 
heap — only  to  char  more  fatally. 

Society  is  founded  on  the  union  of  the  sexes,  and 
the  obligations  are  the  same  for  both.  Each  is  con- 
stituted the  guardian  of  the  purity  of  the  other. 

The  harmony  of  personal  and  social  life  is  disturbed 
if  either  degenerates  to  coarseness  or  weakness.  The 
man  who  uses  his  power  to  corrupt  woman,  is  self-de- 
graded and  cowardly.  The  woman  who  uses  her  influ- 
ences to  corrupt  others,  debases  herself,  and  makes  her 
life  a  moral  anomaly. 

The  marriage  bond  is  the  only  adequate  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  laws  appointed  to  regulate  human  so- 
ciety. 

This  alone  gives  us  the  family,  which  is  the  prima- 
ry form  of  society.  Marriage  implies  a  mutual  pledge 
to  lifelong,  consistent  endeavor  to  reach  the  highest 
standard  of  human  attainment.  In  the  family  circle, 
the  relations  of  the  husband,  wife  and  children  provide 
for  various  duties  incidental  to  these  relations.  The 
maternal  instinct  of  man,  when  properly  tempered, 
is  one  of  the  noblest  and  most  valirable  emotions  of 
the  human  heart. 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  1S3 

The  Abuse  of  the  Maternal  Instinct. 

It  commences  early,  and  often  accompanies  us  to 
the  closing  scene  of  life, 

Bj  the  abuse  of  this  instinct  we  see  strange  inter- 
mixtures of  the  noblest  of  virtues,  and  the  foulest 
vices.  It  runs  to  extremes,  and  is  continually  hunting 
for  something;  new;  crallantrv  deo^enerates  into  seduc- 
tions;  fine  trembling  honor,  into  an  irritable  thirst  to 
avenge  trifles;  the  heart  is  full  of  restlessness  and 
fever.  In  the  general  pursuit  of  happiness  content- 
ment is  unknown. 

Marriage  properly  entered  into,  and  the  relations 
rightly  understood,  is  the  happiest  condition  of  man- 
kind; but  so  few  understand  the  law's  governing  these 
relations  that  alienations  and  disgust  often  take  the 
place  of  what  should  have  been  perfect  happiness. 
On  every  hand  is  to  be  seen  husbands  and  wives  whose 
raiarried  life  has  proved  to  be  a  canker,  eating  out  the 
very  best  elements  of  their  natures. 

How  many  wives  there  are,  leading  a  miserable  life 
of  suffering  who  would  rather  die  than  tell  their 
friends  of  their  conditions.  How  many  husbands 
there  are  whose  affections  and  regard  for  home  ties 
have  been  completely  killed.  "What  is  the  cause  of 
all  this?     Ignorance  of  nature's  foremost  laws. 


184  SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Disappointmcnla  in  Married  Life. 

A  large  portion  of  the  married,  if  the  true  story  of 
their  lives  could  be  told,  would  attest  to  their  dis- 
appointments in  the  conjugal  state.  It  is  the  expecta- 
tion of  people  when  thej  first  enter  into  married  ob- 
ligations, that  life's  greatest  desires  will  culminate  in 
their  relations,  and  if  tliey  understand  themselves  and 
nature's  laws  they  would  not  be  disappointed. 

"Why  is  it  that  we  see  so  many  unmarried  men  and 
women,  apparently  perfect  physically  and  mentally, 
so  well  calculated  to  enjoy  married  life  ?  It  is  be- 
cause they  have  seen  so  much  married  misery  among 
their  acquaintances  that  they  had  rather  go  through 
life  in  single  blessedness  than  risk  the  uncertainty  of 
happiness  in  marriage.  It  is  a  terrible  condition  of 
society  and  a  reproach  to  mankind  that  such  a  state  of 
things  exist.  Many  a  single  woman  after  living  among 
her  married  friends  assert,  that — "  you  don't  catch 
me  marrying — I've  seen  too  much."  Such  cases  are 
in  every  community,  and  if  the  number  could  be  known 
it  would  astonish  us  all.  It  can  be  set  down  as  a  fact 
that  those  who  discourage  others  from  marrying  have 
suffered  themselves  or  seen  others  suffer. 

The  relation  of  the  husband  and  wife  ought  to  bring 
out  the  best  impulses  of  human  nature;  but  if  the 


SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  185 

Perplexities  of  the  Married. 

young  wife  finds  that  her  husband  thinks  more  of  grat- 
ifying his  own  passion  than  he  does  her  feelings,  she 
soon  becomes  disgusted,  her  anticipation  of  pleasure 
vanishes,  and  she  is  soon  convinced  that  she  has  been 
denied  by  nature  what  rightfully  belonged  to  her. 

Sometimes,  if  she  is  ignorant  of  these  subjects,  as 
the  majority  of  women  are,  she  will  naturally  assume 
airs  of  superiority  over  her  more  passionate  sisters  on 
account  of  her  imagined  purer  nature. 

The  husband's  early  impetuosity  and  ignorance 
brings  about  unsatisfactory  conjugal  relations. 

He,  finding  an  unreciprocal  wife,  doubts  her  afiec. 
tion  for  him.  She,  because  of  her  defrauded  woman- 
hood, feels  debased  by  his  conjugal  approach,  especial- 
ly an  enforced  one.  Disappointments  in  married  life 
are  on  every  hand,  in  all  classes  of  society,  and  in  all 
shades  of  religious  belief.  Age  has  nothing  to  do 
with  it,  as  it  is  found  among  young  as  well  as  those 
who  have  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  Men  and  women 
should  know  more  of  Nature's  laws  and  their  intri- 
cate ways,  and  follow  reason  rather  than  blind  pas- 
sion, which  would  prove  an  antidote  to  our  present 
inharmonious  relations. 


186  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Conditions  that  Cannot  be  Harmonized. 

There  are  many  causes  that  would  warrant  a  divorce, 
but  the  most  perplexed  and  difficult  one  is  where  two 
persons  of  honest  intentions,  who  look  upon  divorce 
is  a  disgrace,  who  find  themselves  united  together  for 
•life,  and  that  their  spirits  are  not  in  harmony,  their 
natures  are  at  war  with  each  other's,  and  that  they 
cannot  be  harmonized.  Thousands  are  in  this  condi- 
tion. No  law  can  be  made  to  reach  all  alike,  there- 
fore reason,  judgment,  and  surrounding  circumstances 
should  govern  each  separate  case.  There  is  no  wis- 
dom in  exposing  the  faults  and  imperfections  of 
others  to  the  world,  unless  great  good  is  accomplished 
thereby.  The  young,  innocent  child  and  the  foolish, 
can  repeat  what  they  hear  and  see,  but  no  one  will 
claim  that  any  great  wisdom  is  displayed. 

The  object  of  social  reform  should  be  to  harmonize 
the  male  and  female,  instead  of  getting  up  an  antag- 
onistic feeling  between  them,  by  making  one  party 
the  great  "bugbear"  of  society,  the  other  neglected, 
abused  slave.  The  injustice  existing  between  the 
sexes  originates  with  blame  on  both  sides,  perhaps 
not  equally  alike,  but  neither  sex  is  free  from  imper- 
fections. We  should  not  ask  why  people  are  not  all 
made  good,  pure  and  noble,  but  should,  strive  to  im- 


SKCSET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY.  187 

Before  Marriage — After  Jlarriage. 

prove  Inunanitj  in  all  its  diversified  stages  of  devel- 
opment. 

Among  tlie  features  which  characterize  the  mar- 
ried and  single,  the  difference  in  bearing,  speech  and 
appearance,  are  the  most  striking. 

The  contrast  is  surprising. 

A  bride  g'oing  West  on  her  wedding  trip,  called  hei 
husband  "Darling  Charlie,"  at  Chicago;  "Charles,' 
at  Denver;  and  "  here,  you,"  at  San  Francisco.  A 
husband  said  :  "  The  first  few  weeks  of  my  marriage, 
I  loved  my  wife  so  well  I  felt  as  if  I  could  eat  her  up, 
and  now  I  wish  to  God  I  had — I  hate  her  so." 

This  is  caused  by  disobeying  natural  laws  which 
regulate  the  married  relations. 

How  few  persons  there  are  that  know  what  the  nat- 
ural laws  are  in  the  married  relations,  which,  if  dis- 
regarded, bring  apathy,  disease,  suffering  and  death. 
Every  effort  should  be  made  to  reveal  these  laws,  that 
when  rightly  used  promotes  the  health  and  happiness 
of  mankind. 

In  married  life,  fidelity  of  heart  and  respect  of  per- 
son belong  as  a  condition  necessary  to  the  well-being 
cf  all  parties  concerned. 


188  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Marriage  Fidelty — Infidelity. 

•  Infidelity  is  liable  t(1^'bi'ing  the  blight  of  infection 
to  an  innocent  party,  and  stamp  the  worst  of  diseases 
npon  offspring.  If  there  is  one  crime  more  accursed 
than  another,*  it  is  taintino- a  trustino;  wife  with  dis- 
ease.  To  victimize  one's  wife,  who  perhaps  has  suf- 
fered the  pangs  of  motherhood — to  impose  such  a  bur- 
den of  shame,  sufferinc:  and  endurance,  is  too  o-riev- 
ous  to  be  borne  without   indignant  protest. 

Nature  never  begins  what  she  cannot  consummate: 
never  "puts  her  hand  to  the  plow"  where  she  is 
oblio-ed  to  look  back;  and  hence  will  not  let  those 
hegin  to  love  who  are  too  uncongenial  to  continue, 
and  even  re-increase.  The  mere  fact  of  two,  having 
once  lov'cd,  guarantees  that  both  can  restore  and  re- 
double. All  the  difficulty  lies  in  something  else  than 
"  natural  incompatibility."  You  throw  off  upon  this 
convenient  "scape-goat"  the  consequences  of  your 
own  mutual  abuse  of  each  other.  Each  dislikes  be- 
cause both  mutually  wrong  each  other.  Abuse  throws 
the  abused  on  his  native  dignity,  and  raises  him  too 
far  above  his  enemy  to  indulge  rancor,  or  take  re- 
venge. Hate  is  mutual  only  where  hoth  have  wronged 
each  other.  Those  who  never  wrong  never  hate, 
liowever    much   wronged;    but  those   who   are  ever 


8ECKET    SINS   OF   SOCIETT.  189 

Abuse  of  Each  Other. 

wronging  are  ever  hating;  because  of  their  own  self- 
convicted  consciences.  Conjugal  loathers,  please  ex- 
amine this  principle,  as  a  veritable  law  of  universal 
applicability,  and  apply  it  to  your  own  conjugal  feel- 
ings. Of  course  the  one  who  hates  the  most  has 
wronged  the  most. 

Obviating  the  causes  of  an  evil  removes  it.  Ton 
loved  once;  then  what  prevents  your  affections  from 
re-doubling  with  years?  Only  your  own  abuse  of 
each  other.  You  inflict  misery  on  each  other,  and 
thereby  generate  your  mutual  "incompatibility." 
You  are  "uncongenial"  because  you  have  been  un- 
C07ijvgal,  and  can  re-establish  congeniality  by  re- 
turning to  true  conjugality.  All  can  treat  each 
other  politely  at  least,  and  thus  get  on  passably  well 
together.  Two  really  polite  persons,  who  are  obliged 
to  be  together,  would  not  wrangle;  much  less  a  true 
gentleman  and  lady;  especially  if  they  have  ever  loved 
each  other  or  their  mutual  children.  If  your  uncon- 
geniality  is  constitutional,  why  did  you  not  perceive 
it  before  marriage?  Because  "infatuated?"  Tlien 
get  infatuated  over  again.  Establish  a  partial  union 
if  you  can  do  no  better.  Unite  as  far  as  you  are  con- 
genial, yet  each  leave  the  other  to  act  separately  on 


190  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Illustrative  Cases. 

points  of  dissimilarity.  If  you  disagree  on  religion, 
politics,  tastes,  morals,  or  other  questions,  each  accord 
to  the  other  the  largest  individuality;  yet  as  far  as  you 
can,  unite  on  other  points. 

There  are  interests  you  can  share  in  common,  and 
grounds  for  community  of  feeling.  Uniting  on  them 
will  induce  sympathy  on  others.  If  your  husband 
drinks,  or  is  unfaithful,  or  j^our  wife  scolds,  or  is  hate- 
ful, reform  efforts  are  better  for  both  than  abandon- 
ment. If  our  Heavenly  Father  should  abandon  us 
on  account  of  any  one  of  our  numerous  sins,  on  whom 
would  He  not  turn  His  back  forever?  Then  shall  we 
abandon  the  father  or  mother  of  our  dear  children  for 
some  one's  sin,  though  grievous?  The  doctrine  of  for- 
giveness is  true  humanity  as  well  as  Christianity,  and 
nowhere  as  beneficial  or  necessary  as  in  marriage. 
Head  this  chapter  to  your  consort,  in  a  softened,  easy 
manner.  Present  the  desirableness  of  reconciliation. 
Cut  off  all  issues  but  this.  Ascertain  how  much  each 
desires  to  live  in  affection.  Probably  each  will  learn 
with  surprise  that  the  other  is  w^illing  and  anxious. 
If  so,  restoration  is  easy,  for  "  where  there  is  a  will 
there  is  a  way."  Probably  both  would  gladly  rush 
right  into  the  arms  of  the  other,  if  only  certain  of  re- 
ciprocation. 


SECRET    SIKS    OF    SOCIETV.  191 

Right  Course  to  Pu  rsue. 

"  0,  I  would  give  the  world  if,  as  I  go  home  to- 
night, I  could  go  right  to  my  wife,*as  of  old,  and,  en- 
circling her  in  my  arms,  kiss  and  caress,  and  be  kissed 
and  caressed  hy  her."  Yet  quite  likely  she  is  feeling 
precisely  the  same  towards  you.  At  all  events,  just  try. 
Proffering  a  fond  kiss  can  surely  break  no  bones;  or 
wife  pursue  a  like  course.  If  either  finds  any  lingering 
fondness  still  remaining,  express  it.  Sometimes  the 
beclouded  sun  reappears  suddenly.  Probably  either 
could  break  the  fatal  spell  which  separates  you  in  one 
minute,  just  by  one  frank  proffer  of  affection.  If  you 
are  willing  to  be  reconciled,  try  every  means  to  show 
to  each  other  that  you  are  in  earnest,  and  you  will 
discover  that  each  is  only  too  glad  to  aid  in  the  recon- 
ciliation. 


192  SECRET   Sm&    OF    SOCIETY. 


A  Revolting  Practice. 


PAET  XII. 

INFANTICIDE  AND  ABORTION. 

piHILDEEISr  are  born,  and  it  is  their  God-given 
^  right.  That  this  privilege  should  ever  be  ques- 
tioned is  to  cap  the  climax  of  abominations. 

The  history  of  abortions  shows  that  the  custom  has 
existed  since  the  earliest  times,  and  all  the  influence 
of  Christianity  has  failed  to  prevent  the  eviL  The 
Homan  women  did  not  scruple  to  free  tliem selves 
from  pregnancy,  which  interfered  with  their  pleasures, 
and  until  Ulpian  repressed  the  practice,  they  carried 
it  on  to  an  alarming  extent.  Plato  and  Aristotle 
advocated  it  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  excessive 
population,  and  taught  that  a  child  only  acquires  a 
soul  at  the  moment  of  birth.  Their  teachings  were 
that  the  embryo  did  not  possess  animation,  therefore 
it  was  not  murder.  How  revolting  this  practice  to 
every  principle   of  humanity!     How    many   in    this 


SECRET    SIXS    OF   SOCIETY.  193 

A  Revolting  Confession. 

Christian  land  tate  what  is  calculated  to  cause  mis- 
carriage, and  for  this  purpose  only.  The  following 
experience  is  related  by  a  woman  who  was  persuaded 
to  visit  one  of  those  infamous  physicians  about  six 
weeks  after  becoming  pregnant.  She  says,  "She  gave 
me  some  powders,  with  directions  for  use,  which  did 
not  produce  the  desired  result;  returning,  I  asked  her 
if  there  was  no  other  way  to  produce  miscarriage. 
'  Yes,'  she  replied,  '  I  can  probe  you,  but  I  must  have 
my  price.'  '  What  do  you  probe  with? '  'A  piece  of 
whalebone.'  '  Well,'  I  observed,  '  I  cannot  afford  to 
pay  that  price,  and  will  probe  mj'self '  I  used  the 
whalebone  several  times;  it  produced  considerable 
pain,  followed  by  a  discharge  of  blood."  Injuries  on 
the  mouth  of  the  womb  by  other  violent  attempts, 
had  caused  all  this  agony.  An  almost  desperate  sur- 
gical operation  barely  saved  her  life. 

She  further  confessed  that  this  abortionist  had  pro- 
duced five  miscarriages,  adding  that  she  knew  many 
respectable  ladies  on  whom  she  had  operated,  one  five 
months  advanced,  whose  child  struggled  violently 
after  having  been  thrown  into  the  wash-bowl.  A 
Kew  York  physician  boasts  of  having  produced  abor- 
tions on  no  less  than  one  thousand  women ;  and  this 
13 


194  SECRET    SINS    OF    SiJCIETY. 

The  only  Safe  Preventative. 

was  the  work  of  only  one  doctor!  Many  an  aborted 
one  has  returned  home  completely  destroyed — her 
vitals  tapped  and  bleeding,  who  lingers  along  a  few 
short  months  and  dies — the  victim  of  passion.  The 
only  safe  and  sure  preventative  of  such  results  is 
virtue.  Every  law  of  nature  protests  against  such 
deeds  that  ruin  the  health  of  the  mother,  and  destroy 
the  sexual  organs.  Kothing  of  man  can  assume  the 
functions  of  Divine  Providence. 

The  mother's  health  has  often  been  restored  by  the 
very  means  which  the  judgment  of  man  appeared  most 
calculated  to  destroy  it.  A  few  illustrations  are  given: 
A  lady  who  had  suffered  a  serious  complication  of  dis- 
eases in  a  former  pregnancy,  was  told  by  several  physi- 
cians that  she  could  never  hope  to  survive  becoming  a 
mother  again;  nevertheless  she  became  pregnant  after 
this,  and  by  concurrent  advice  of  a  number  of  physi- 
cians submitted  to  the  operation  of  abortion.  Subse- 
quently she  passed  through  another  term  of  pregnancy^ 
and  now  rejoices  in  excellent  health  and  a  splendid 
boy 

A  second,  who  had  "children  enough"  when  she 
found  herself  embarrassed  with  a  prospective  increase 
to  her  family,  tried   every  means  known  to  her,  but 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  195 

Several  Illustrative  Cases. 

without  success,  A  few  days  before  the  birth  of  a 
beautiful  boj,  she  had  to  mourn  the  loss  of  her  only 
son  by  a  terrible  accident.  A  third,  who  had  in  view 
a  summer  tour,  vainly  sought  to  obtain  relief  from 
an  inconvenient  pregnancy,  succeeded  in  "  liaving  it 
done  for  her  "  by  an  inferual  rascal,  and  she  was  laid 
lielpless  and  suffering  through  those  long  summer 
months  in  which  she  had  anticipated  so  much  pleasure 
— not  only  losing  her  only  baby  and  her  journey,  but 
her  health — that  only  thing  that  makes  life  worth  liv- 
ing. 

A  fourth,  left  almost  penniless  by  the  death  of  her 
husband,  made  the  attempt  to  murder  the  child — 
prompted  by  advice  of  misguided  friends — which  is 
now  her  support  in  her  declining  years.  Hundreds 
of  such  instances  are  within  the  knowledge  of  physi- 
cians. Ask  the  physicians  of  your  acquaintance 
— they  will  verify  our  words. 

The  most  common  reasons  given  for  this  act  are 
founded  in  motives  of  economy  and  convenience. 

The  "medical  code"  requires  the  recommendation 
of  only  two  or  three  regular  physicians  to  warrant  the 
commission  of  an  act  which  the  same  science  pro- 
nounces the  taking  of  human  life. 


19G  SECEET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Three  Hundred  Abortions  by  an  M.  D.  —The  Prediction  of  Scientists. 

Cases  without  number  could  be  cited  where  these 
opinions  have  been  obtained  upon  the  most  frivolous 
pretexts,  by  the  patients  being  influential  and  wealthy. 
In  1861  a  medical  writer  of  some  note  published  a 
painphletjin  which  he  declared  he  had  performed  over 
three  hundred  abortions. 

The  same  writer  admits  that  in  all  that  number  of 
cases  he  found  only  four  necessary  to  save  the  life  of 
the  mother — thus  confessinof  the  immense  number  of 
cases  performed  on  other  grounds.  Several  times  in 
this  little  work  he  speaks  of  using  a  "  certain  instru- 
ment with  success." 

This  scoundrel  of  the  medical  fraternity  is  account- 
ed "  a  brother  in  good  standing,"  notwithstanding  sev- 
eral attempts  made  to  expel  him  from  the  society. 

This  "medical  code"  is  responsible  to  a  certain 
extent  that  this  rascal  remains  unhung.  The  min- 
isters of  tlie  Gospel  should  be  lieid  accountable,  next 
to  the  "medical  code,"  for  the  present  condition  of 
society.  Cases  are  common  where  the  most  scientific 
men  have  committed  the  most  serious  blunders  in 
diagnosis.  Many  times  the  prediction  is  made  that 
such  a  woman  could  "never  have  a  living  child" — 
that  she  must  "die  in  labor;"  that  another  "could 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  197 


Legitimate  Aid  of  Science. 


not  live  through  pregnancy  again  ;"  these  assertions 
have  been  completely  falsified  by  subsequent  events, 
which  shows  that  this  mere  fiat  of  human  iudguient 
is  a  questionable  ruling.  Suppose  that  the  opinion 
of  man  was  correct,  who  constituted  him  the  arbitra- 
tor of  human  life  ?  Did  Almighty  God  ?  No  man 
dare  decide  this  issue. 

Every  pregnancy  should  be  allowed  to  go  on  to  its 
fall  completion.  When  this  course  is  adhered  to,  it 
is  wonderful  to  behold  the  extraordinary  evolutions 
of  nature  to  rescue  both  lives  from  danger;  or  it  may 
be  that  the  same  beneficent  nature  elects  the  mater- 
nal life,  and  permits  the  infant  to  perish  the  earliest. 
It  is  at  this  point  that  science  comes  legitimately  to 
her  aid,  and  determines  the  exact  moment  that  the 
young  life  has  taken  its  flight,  and  on  that  instant 
proceeds  to  an  operation  which,  a  moment  earlier 
would  have  been  murder.  She  has  now  only  to  deal 
with  the  dead  foetus,  which  it  is  her  duty  to  remove 
with  the  utmost  dispatch.  Those  women  who  "walk 
in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,"  should  scorn  the 
proposition  to  destroy  the  lives  of  their  unborn  chil- 
dren, from  whatever  source  it  may  come.  Murder 
your  own  child  never  !  yet  it  is  one  of  the  principal 


198  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  most  Terrible  of  Crimes. 

sins  of  society,  and  we  stand  aghast  at  this  appalling 
fact. 

All  possible  miscarrying  means  are  equally  suici- 
dal. Probing  endangers  the  sexual  organs  almost  as 
much  as  the  life  of  the  child.  Since  these  organs 
sympathize  with  her  entire  physiology,  and  mentally 
of  course,  whatever  impairs  them  correspondingly  in- 
jures her  entire  nature. 

If  the  prospective  mothers  only  understood  this 
law  of  intimacy,  they  would  no  more  attempt  abortion 
than  suicide.  How  dare  a  mother  jeopardize  her  own 
life  ?  How  dare  she  stand  before  the  bar  of  God's 
eternal  retribution,  a  partial  or  total  suicide,  in  addi- 
tion to  that  of  child  murder  ? 

Infanticide  is  the  most  terrible  of  all  crimes;  and 
yet  it  is  perpetrated  by  respectable  ladies,  and  even 
by  church  members,  as  a  matter  of  course.  It  might 
be  expected  of  harlots,  but  is  astounding  in  those  who 
lay  claim  to  respectabilit}'  or  conscience.  Killing  is 
awful;  but  murdering  one's  own  child,  nothing — and 
partake  of  communion  next  service-day. 

Science  can  no  more  condemn  to  death  the  being 
in  the  womb  than  out  of  the  womb;  and  it  should 
limit  itself  merely  to  the  discharge  of  its  duty,  and  in 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  199 

Justifiable  Infanticide. 

the  majoritj  of  cases,  many  lives  would  be  saved 
where  they  are  now  sacrificed.  If  the  plan  here  ad- 
vocated were  enforced  by  the  combined  influences  of 
the  civil  and  medical  codes,  a  far  greater  number  of 
infantile  lives  would  be  saved,  and  fewer  maternal 
lives  perish,  than  under  the  present  outrageous  and 
unnatural  system.  The  "justifiable"  infanticide 
opens  the  door  for  the  most  frequent  and  frightful 
abuses  of  the  "  privilege,"  by  leaving  the  legality  of 
the  question  in  most  instances  impossible  to  deter- 
mine. Thousands  of  lives  are  sacrificed  under  the 
plea  of  necessity,  where  one  "  legal  "  necessity  exists, 
and  these  decrees  of  law  and  of  science  should  be 
changed. 

In  all  pagan  nations,  where  the  destruction  of  the 
offspring  is  of  common  occurence,  the  pregnancy  is 
allowed  to  progress  and  the  child  to  be  born,  to  dis- 
cover whether  it  is  worth  preserving. 

It  is  humiliating  to  us  as  a  nation,  to  know  that 
we  are  becoming  worse  than  the  pagans  of  old.  Of 
all  sins,  none  are  so  utterly  to  be  condemned,  as  the  one 
so  common  as  the  destruction  of  the  child  in  the 
womb,  and  none  are  more  repugnant.  Few  realize 
how  many  in  this  Christian  land  do  and  take  what 


200  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Worse  than  Pagans— Its  Humiliating  Tendency. 

is  calculated  to  cause  miscarriage,  and  for  this  sole 
purpose. 

So  intimate  is  the  relation  between'mother  and  cliild, 
that  its  life  cannot  be  destro^^ed  without  doing  fatal 
violence  to  hers.  How  can  strong  decoctions  of  ergot, 
tansj,  etc.,  poison  her  blood  so  effectually  as  to  quench 
its  life,  without  thereby  proportionately  poisoning  her 
own  ? 

The  Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal  calls 
attention  to  the  toxics  effects  of  tansy,  in  the  report  of 
several  cases  of  grave  poisoning.  In  case  I,  about 
fifteen  di'ops  of  the  oil  were  taken  at  ele\^cn  o'clock  in 
the  forenoon.  At  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  after  a  hearty 
meal,  ateaspoonful  more  was  taken.  Convulsions  and 
shock  immediately  followed.  There  was  also  general 
cyanosis.  The  patient  recovered.  The  menses  ap- 
peared on  the  following  day  three  or  four  days  before 
time.  The  remaining  seven  cases  are  reported  from 
various  sources.  In  case  II,  a  teaspoonful  of  the  oil 
was  taken  to  promote  the  catamina.  Convulsions,  ir- 
reo-ular  pulsations  and  laborious  breathing  followed, 
and  death  ensued  in  one  hour  and  a  ha''.f.  In  case  III, 
an  unknown  quantity  of  the  oil  was  taken  with  crimin- 
al intent.    Convulsions,  labored  and  stertorous  breath- 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  201 

The  effects  of  Toxics— Several  Cases. 

ing  followed,  and  death  in  three  and  a  quarter  hours. 
A  well  formed  four-month  foetus  was  found  at  the 
autopsy  undisturbed  in  the  uterus. 

From  certain  facts  it  was  estimated  that  eleven 
drachms  of  the  oil  had  been  taken.  Case  TV,  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  the  oil  of  tansy  was  taken  to  induce  mis- 
carriage. The  young  woman  recovered  after  becoming 
comatose  from  the  effects  of  the  drug,  which  failed  to 
exite  the  abortion.  In  case  Y,  four  drachms  of  the 
oil  of  tansy  were  taken.  Spasms,  disturbed  respira- 
tion, and  great  feebleness  of  the  heart's  action  followed, 
and  death  ensued.  Case  YI,  was  one  of  rapid  death 
following  the  use  of  the  oil,  without  effecting  abortion. 
In  case  YII,  a  decoction  of  tansy  leaves  was  taken 
with  a  criminal  intent.  Paralysis,  contracted  pupils 
and  coma  followed,  and  death  in  twenty-four  hours. 
without  action  of  the  uterus.  Case  YIII,  was  that  of 
a  woman  three  months  advanced  in  pregnancy,  who 
had  taken  a  daily  draught  of  the  infusion  of  tansy  for 
a  week,  for  the  purpose  of  exciting  abortion.  She  also 
used  a  stronger  decoction  as  a  vaginal  injection.  The 
following  morning  she  aborted,  but  suffered  subse- 
quently from  metritis  and  general  peritonitis,  and  re- 
covery was  delayed  for  three  months.     From  these 


202  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Effects  of  Toxics— Several  Cases. 

reports  it  is  evident  that  the  use  of  tansy  is  attended 
with  danger.  It  is  a  potent  poison,  requiring  in  some 
cases  but  one  teaspoonfnl  of  the  oil  to  cause  death.  In 
the  eight  cases  in  which  the  drug  was  taken  in  vary- 
ing quantities,  death  was  the  result  in  five, — a  result 
M'hich  should  terrify  those  who  use  this  drug  to  induce 
abortion.  The  drug,  moreover,  is  shown  to  have  little, 
if  any,  emmenagogue  properties.  Of  the  five  cases  in 
which  it  was  employed  to  excite  abortion,  only  one 
gave  evidence  that  the  ovum  was  disturbed,  and  this 
disturbance  did  not  occur  until  the  drug  had  been 
used  for  a  week.  Arsenical  poisoning  is  scarcely  less 
fatal,  and  certainly  more  emmenagogue  in  its  results. 
If,  therefore,  one  must  be  used,  the  latter  is  prefer- 
able. 


SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  203 


The  Different  Methods— The  Upper  Tendom. 


PART   XIII. 

PREVENTING  CONCEPTION. 

rpHERE  are  many  methods  practiced  for  avoiding 
an  increase  of  family,  and  some  of  them  are  of 
the  most  revolting  character.  It  does  not  seem  pos- 
sible that  persons  with  any  pretentions  to  decency 
could  adopt  them. 

Onanism  is  the  commonest  form.  It  is  vulgar,  de- 
basing, and  repugnant  to  all  purity  and  refinement. 
It  is  the  product  of  the  animal  form  of  amativeness, 
without  one  shadow  of  rational  excuse.  Few  things 
are  more  unsexing,  and  inflammatory  to  the  nervous 
system.  Masturbation  is  no  more  so;  because  both 
exhaust  their  own  sexual  magnetism,  without  either 
obtaining  a  re-supply  from  the  other.  The  conjugal 
onanists  of  this  age  are  more  numerous  than  the  ex- 
ceptions. Prominent  church  members,  even  ministers 
of  the  Gospel,  and  the  very  elite  of  society,  almost 


204  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Conjugal  Onanism— Its  Effects. 

monopolize  this  art,  for  it  is  far  less  common  to  find 
repugnance  to  offspring  in  the  lower  classes  than  in 
npper-tendora.  The  husband  is  not  alone  to  blame 
for  this  crime,  for  the  wife  too,  often  gives  her  con- 
sent, and  hy  a  voluntary  efibrt  she  facilitates  its  accom- 
plishment. 

Without  a  single  exception,  to  practice  withdrawals 
is  productive  of  terrible  consequences  to  health.  Yet 
this  practice  is  so  common  that  it  well  may  be  termed 
a  national  vice.  It  is  acknowledged  by  its  perpetra- 
tors, and  the  husband  is  eulogized  by  his  wife  and 
applauded  by  her  friends  for  committing  this  vice, 
which  is  the  scourge  and  the  desolation  of  marriage. 
Onan  has  imitators  all  over  this  civilized  land,  but 
that  the  crime  should  be  found  among  men  of  the 
highest  respectability  would  surpass  our  belief  if  it 
were  not  notoriously  true.  Onanism  should  never  be 
committed,  even  if  moral  considerations  were  out  of 
the  question.  The  efi'ects  of  this  practice  on  man  is 
similar  to  that  of  masturbation  but  they  are  not  so 
prominent  because  of  certain  conditions  which  are 
wanting,  but  its  influence  over  the  mind  and  body  is 
only  a  degree  less.  Nature  revenges  herself  for  the 
violated  laws   in  disease  of  the  brain  and  spinal  mar- 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  205 

Onanigm  vis  ^[asturbalion. 

TOW,  organic  diseases  of  the  heart,  lungs,  and  kidnejs, 
wasting  of  the  muscles,  and  frequently  by  impotence. 

These  effects  are  slow  in  development,  but  they  are 
sure  to  come,  and  the  victim  will  at  last  find  himself 
with  some  chronic  disorder,  when  his  epitaph  may  be 
written,  "  Therefore,  the  Lord  slew  him  because  he 
did  a  detestible  thing."  Its  effects  upon  woman  is 
more  obvious,  because  more  immediate  and  local.  The 
orgasm  induced  in  the  female  organs  by  the  conjugal 
act,  is  such  that,  if  left  incomplete,  the  congestion 
does  not  immediately  relieve  itself,  and  inflammation, 
ulcerations,  and  final  sterility,  are  the  results.  Those 
so-called  female  weaknesses  are  oftener  produced  by 
this  evil  than  all  other  causes  combined.  Derange- 
ments of  the  bladder,  rectum  and  womb,  arising  from 
this  cause,  are  well-nigh  intractable. 

It  is  impossible  for  either  man  or  woman — passion- 
ate and  loving  as  they  may  be — to  reach  the  true  crisis 
of  the  sexual  act  when  onanism  is  practiced. 

In  nearly  every  instance  where  onanism  is  performed, 
it  does  injustice  to  the  woman,  in  the  incompleteness 
of  the  conjugal  act. 

These  incomplete  sexual  approaches,  if  continued, 
will  obliterate  all  ideas  of  enjoyment  on  the  part  of 


206  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Condoms  do  not.Lessen  the  Evil— The  only  Lawful  Methods. 

the  wife,  and  is  productive  of  conjugal  unhappiness. 
These  facts  have  but  little  weight  with  men,  it  can  he 
said  to  their  shame.  The  gratification  of  their  own 
criminal  passions  seems  to  be  the  leading  idea  with 
the  majority  of  men,  thus  defiling  their  own  marriage- 
bed.  "Wearing  the  condom  does  not  lessen  the  evil. 
Hundreds  of  thousands  of  these  vile  things  are  sold 
every  year  by  the  drug  stores,  and  double  that  num- 
ber of  caps  for  the  penal  gland.  And  how  many  times 
are  each  of  these  used  ?  These  are  the  half-brothers 
to  that  French  invention  for  female  masturbation.  Is 
there  a  limit  to  sexual  depravity? 

There  are  two  lawful  methods  of  preventing  an  in- 
crease of  offspring,  and  tliey  are  the  only  ones  that 
should  ever  be  used.  One  of  the  most  judicious  of 
these  methods  is  entire  continence  during  the  time  it 
is  desirable  to  remain  exempt.  The  other  method  is 
the  partial  continence  or  the  absolute  avoidance  of  the 
conjugal  act  for  the  term  of  fourteen  days  after  the 
cession  of  the  last  monthly  period.  This  is  the  ex- 
treme limit,  and  in  certain  cases  should  be  shortened 
two  or  three  days.  These  are  the  most  rational  metliods 
for  preventing  conception,  and  none  others  should  be 
used.     All  other  methods  save   these,  are  disgusting. 


8ECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  207 

Partial  Withdrawals— Its  evil  Effect. 

beastly,  as  well  as  unnatural,  and  physically  injurious. 
Some  of  the  methods  used  are  terrible  in  their  effects 
— debasing  to  all  purity  and  refinement. 

That  of  withdrawal  immediately  before  emission  is 
certainly  effectual,  if  practiced  with  sufficient  care,  but 
the  practice  is  abominable  and  disgusting,  as  well  as 
injurious  to  health.  But  if  Dr.  Dewees' theory  of  con- 
ception be  correct,  and  as  Spallanzani's  experiments 
show,  that  only  a  trifle  of  semen,  even  largely  diluted 
with  water,  may  impregnate  by  being  injected  into 
the  vagina,  it  is  clear  that  nothing  short  of  entire  with- 
drawal is  to  be  depended  upon.  But  the  old  notion 
that  the  semen  must  enter  the  uterus  to  cause  concep- 
tion, has  led  many  to  believe  that  the  partial  with- 
drawal is  sufficient,  and  it  is  on  this  account  that  this 
error  has  proved  mischievous,  as  all  important  errors 
generally  do.  It  is  said  by  those  who  speak  from  ex- 
perience, that  the  practice  of  withdrawal  has  an  effect 
upon  the  health  similar  to  intemperance  in  eating.  As 
the  subsequent  exhaustion  is  probably  mainly  owing 
to  the  shock  the  nervous  system  sustains  in  the  act  of 
coition,  this  opinion  may  be  correct.  It  is  further 
said  that  this  practice  serves  to  keep  alive  those  fine 
feelings   with  which  married    people   first    come  to- 


208  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETT. 

The  old  Notion  of  Conception. 

getlier,  but  every  day  evidence  show  that  the  contrary 
is  the  case,  as  it  is  an  act  against  nature. 

The  Old  idea  of  conception  has  led  some  to  recom- 
mend with  considerable  confidence,  the  introducing 
into  the  vagina,  previous  to  connection,  a  very  deli- 
cate piece  of  sponge,  moistened  with  water,  to  be  im- 
mediately afterward  withdrawn  by  means  of  a  ribbon 
attached  to  it.  But  this  is  not  a  sure  preventative, 
and  is  one  of  the  disgusting  schemes  to  cheat  nature 
As  there  are  many  little  ridges  or  folds  in  the  vagina, 
we  cannot  suppose  the  withdrawal  of  the  sponge 
would  dislodge  all  the  semen  in  every  instance. 

Another  method  in  use,  such  as  syringing  the  vagi- 
na immediately  after  connection,  with  a  solution  of 
sulphate  of  zinc,  of  alum,  pearl-ash  or  any  salt  that 
acts  chemically  on  the  semen,  is  one  that  has  been 
scattered  far  and  wide  by  advertising  quacks,  and 
while  it  has  probably  prevented  conception  in  num- 
berless cases,  yet  it  is  far  from  being  a  positive  rem- 
edy ;  and  the  most  that  can  be  said  of  it  is  that  it 
has  probably  done  less  real  injury  than  most  of  the 
other  means,  because  the  very  syringing  process  is 
conducive  of  cleanliness,  and  aids  in  strengthening  the 
relaxed  muscles  of  the  genital  organs.    It  is  further  a 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  209 

More  Methods  to  Cheat  Nature. 

well  known  fact  that  similar  injections  are  recommend- 
ed bj  all  physicians  in  cases  of  jprocidentia  uteri  or 
a  sinking  down  of  the  womb,  flour  alius  and  kin- 
dred weakening  diseases.  In  the  use  of  the  above 
remedies  for  a  legitimate  object,  we  have  nothing  to 
find  fault  with,  and  believe  that  nine-tenths  of  the 
female  weaknesses  would  be  obviated  by  using  them 
in  a  proper  manner  at  proper  times,  and  in  a  solution 
of  suflScient  strength  to  contract  the  flaccid  muscles, 
and  still  not  harm  the  delicate  membranes  of  the  gen- 
ital organs.  It  is  also  said  that  a  vegetable  astringent, 
such  as  an  infusion  of  white  oak  bark,  red  rose  leaves 
of  nut-gall  and  the  like,  are  equally  effective  in  all 
cases   where  the   salts   mentioned   are   considered   a 

medicinal  remedy. 
14 


210  SECBET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


;he  Masculine  Law— Its  Power. 


PABT  XIY. 

WOMAN'S   RIGHTFUL  CONTROL   OVER  THE   GENERA- 
TIVE FUNCTION. 

rpiIE  natural  laws  of  sex  in  their  action,  position 
■*■  and  relation  toward  each  other,  teach  us  the  true 
relations,  positions  and  labors  of  men  and  women  in 
tlie  family,  in  society  and  in  the  governmental  orders. 
As  tlie  feminine  is  everywhere  tlie  controlling  power, 
this  power  must  be  recognized  in  woman  and  its  law 
obeyed,  before  we  can  ever  have  order  and  harmony  in 
any  of  the  relations  of  life.  The  masculine  law,  as 
represented  in  man,  is  everywhere,  and  has  always 
been  recognized  as  the  external  executive  force,  which 
gives  him  the  right  of  supremacy.  His  strength  and 
ability  in  the  field  of  labor  gives  him  the  right.  Ills 
might  makes  the  right.  The  central  power  of  woman 
in  the  maternal  office  gives  her  not  only  the  power  of 
control  over  herself  and  the  fcetus,  but  it  also  gives  her 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  211 

The  Feminine  Law — Its  Power. 

the  right  of  control  over  man  in  the  sexual  relation? 
This  right  of  control  belongs  to  M'oman  because  she 
possesses  the  power.  Her ^ower  gives  her  the  right. 
Meii  are  already  beginning  to  recognize  woman's 
right  of  control  in  the  sexual  relation.  They  have  dis- 
covered that  it  is  not  right  to  force  a  woman,  or  sub- 
ject her  to  beafi'  children  against  her  will.  That  as  to 
her  belong  the  burdens  and  responsibilities  of  child- 
bearing,  it  is  for  her  to  say  whether  or  no  she  will 
assume  these  responsibilities. 

Under  right  conditions  every  true  woman  will  bear 
children. 

The  strongest  law  of  woman's  nature  is  the  love  of 
children,  and  to  a  mother  a  man  is  but  a  grown  ujp 
child. 

The  strongest  law  of  man  (outside  of  self)  is  the  love 
of,  or,  in  a  perverted  condition,  the  lust  of  woman. 
But  because  women  love  children,  they  do  not  wish  to 
be  compelled  to  bear  one  every  year,  like  the  beasts  of 
the  held.  The  first  and  most  important  condition  in 
the  right  generation  of  humanity,  is  obedience  to  the 
sexual  laws  of  nature.  The  brute  follows  the  yearly 
period  of  law  of  physical  necessity;  the  human 
female  combines  both  the  physical  and   mental  laws 


212  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Sexual  Desire  always  Together 

in  the  reproductive  function.  Monthly  periods  are  to 
the  human  what  the  yearly  are  to  the  brute,  and  here- 
in lies  tlie  true  law  for  the  exercise  of  the  sexual  func- 
tion— that  is  where  offspring  are  desirable. 

In  all  nature  the  generative  function  is  controlled 
by  periodical  laws,  and  the  generative  power  of  the 
male,  as  well  as  the  female,  would  be  much  greater 
and  better  if  the  organs  never  had  more  than  a  month- 
ly use.  These  periodical  laws  are  the  controlling 
powers  of  generation,  whether  in  male  or  female.  The 
brute  male  always  obeys  the  law  of  the  female.  He 
never  violates,  but  always  respects  it  from  beginning 
to  end,  through  gestation  and  lactation.  What  a 
beautiful  lesson  for  the  human  animal.  The  genera- 
tive function  of  man  is  almost  lawless  Cat  least  to  the 
law  of  control),  and  his  whole  character  partakes  of 
this  lawlessness. 

In  the  brute  mammal,  generation  and  sexual  de- 
sire always  go  together.  This  desire  is  always  first 
manifested  by  the  female  and  obeyed  by  the  male.  The 
human(?)  male  has  usurped  the  might  of  his  authori- 
ty over  the  woman,  and  her  laws  of  order  in  the  gena- 
tive  and  maternal  functions.  "We  see  the  direful  re- 
sults.    All  order  and  harmony  are  lost  in   the   sexual 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  213 

An  Unsexed  Woman— The  Sexual  Passion 

reli.tion.  Disorder,  disease,  pollution  and  crime,  fol- 
low in  tbeir  train.  There  can  never  be  harmony  in 
family,  society  or  government,  until  man  removes  his 
foot  of  authority  from  the  neck  of  woman,  and  per- 
mits her  to  control  in  the  sexual  relation  accordinff  to 
the  maternal  laws  of  order;  because  the  sexual  rela- 
tion underlies  family,  society  and  government.  As 
is  the  sexual  relation,  so  is  the  family;  as  is  tlie  fami- 
ly, so  is  society:  as  is  society",  so  is  government.  All, 
all  depends  upon  the  sexual  relations,  because  it  gives 
birth  to  good  or  bad  children,  according  to  its  condi- 
tions. 

Men  and  women  must  both  understand  the  righteous 
laws  of  maternity;  woman,  that  she  may  control  her- 
self and  man;  man,  that  he  may  be  controlled.  A 
woman  is  unsexed  by  prostituting  or  misdirecting  the 
sexual  forces;  a  man  becomes  a  neuter  or  a  eunuch  in 
spirit  by  the  total  prostration  and  loss  of  all  power, 
though  the  sexual  organs  may  still  remain.  An  un- 
sexed woman  or  a  prostitute  is  much  worse  than  a  lib- 
ertine, simply  because  she  has  the  power  to  be.  She 
sustains  less  loss  in  the  sexual  act  than  he.  Men  and 
women  have  cultivated  the  sexual  passion  by  exer- 
cise, and  handed  it  down  by  transmission,  until  sexual 


214  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Why  Young  Girls  are  Seduced 

desire  is  no  longer  a  safe  guide  for  its  indulgence,  as 
among  respectable  brutes.  As  long  as  sexual  desire, 
with  maternity  for  its  end,  was  under  the  control  of 
the  female,  it  was  safely  followed;  but  in  the  hands 
of  the  male,  this  law  has  become  an  all-devouring  fire, 
too  often  consuming  all  that  is  good  in  his  nature. 
Sexual  abuses  have  produced  more  diseases,  and  are 
the  sources  of  more  evil  and  crime  in  the  world  than 
all  other  causes  put  together. 

A  very  large  class  of  our  male  population  will  per- 
sist in  running  into  sexual  excesses,  even  when  many 
of  them  must  know  that  it  is  destroying  their  lives. 
They  are  monomaniacs  on  this  subject,  and  because 
the  majority  of  wives  will  persist  in  being  women  and 
mothers,  instead  of  prostitutes,  young  girls  are  se- 
duced and  kept,  and  their  passions  cultivated  until 
many  of  them  lose  almost  every  vestige  of  their  wo- 
manly nature. 

Why  do  they  do  this,  when  they  must  know  that 
the  inevitable  will  be  personal  ruin?  They  do  it  be- 
cause the  law  of  self-control  is  not  in  their  nature,  and 
woman  is  under  man's  domain.  Men  often  plead  that 
sexual  indulgence  is  necessary  for  health,  to  relieve 
the  system.     Why  ?     Because  such  a  draft,  such  a  de- 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  215 

Who  Seek  the  Assignation  House 

mand  for  nervous  energy  and  mucous  material  has 
been  produced  in  the  sexual  chambers,  through  the 
sexual  channels,  by  such  a  frequent  opening  and  out- 
let of  the  elements,  that  the  passages  become  gorged 
if  tliey  are  closed  longer  than  usual.  It  is  a  terrible 
necessity^  produced  by  a  terrible  habit.  It  is  a  ne- 
cessity, just  as  the  drunkard's  dram  is  a  necessity,  and 
the  man  has  as  little  control  over  himself  in  the  one 
case  as  the  other.  Lust  can  no  more  be  cured  by  in- 
dulgence than  alcoholic  intemperance,  only  as  it  pro- 
duces a  total  loss  of  sexual  power  and  manhood. 

The  husband,  too,  sometimes  digs  the  grave  of  his 
own  haj)piness  and  home,  when  he  cultivates  in  the 
wife  a  love  and  habit  of  frequent  indulgence.  As 
such  habits  always  produce  nervous  weakness  and  ir- 
ritability of  temper,  the  husband  and  wife  get  angry 
and  quarrel  for  some  foolish  cause,  and  the  wife  as 
well  as  the  husband  seeks  the  house  of  assignation. 
Thus  men  and  women,  by  cultivating  their  sexua'i. 
propensities,  are  ready  to  run  off  with  a  paramour, 
forgetful  of  their  obligations  to  each  other,  and  what 
is  much  worse,  of  their  duties  to  their  children. 
Where  the  mind  is  so  repeatedly  drawn  into  the  sexual 
channel  of  desire  by  useless   indulgence,  it  is  impos- 


216  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Men  and  Women  lose  their  Sense  of  Right. 

sible  to  cultivate  a  high  moral  sense  of  the  use  of  tlie 
sexual  organs  as  a  parental  function.  Its  frequency 
destroys  all  sense  of  its  importance  in  the  formation 
of  a  new  life.  It  is  excessive  sexual  abuse  that  liat 
produced  so  much  nervous  debility  in  men  and  women, 
in  part;  we  have  inherited  it  from  our  ancestors,  and 
we  transmit  it  to  our  children.  This  is  the  reason 
why  every  generation  grows  weaker  as  it  grows  wiser. 
'No  wonder  "  the  years  of  our  lives  are  only  three- 
score and  ten,  and  full  of  sorrow  and  trouble.  In  the 
abuse  of  the  sexual  organs,  men  and  women  lose  theii 
sense  of  right  and  wrong,  and  even  their  affection  for 
children.  The  whole  soul  becomes  so  absorbed  in 
this  channel  that  the  voice  of  conscience,  and  even  the 
sacred  yearnings  of  maternal  love,  is  stifled  by  its  in- 
creasing demands. 

More  than  half  of  the  poor  little  innocents  that  see 
the  light  of  day,  tell  us  plainly  that  they  are  not 
worth  raising,  by  withering  and  dying  at  the  first 
rude  blast  of  life;  and  as  long  as  there  is  a  constant 
abuse  of  the  maternal  law  by  tlie  parents,  the  W'  rl  1 
will  never  be  bettered  by  its  children.  The  mascu- 
line law  of  generation  must  be  under  the  control  of 
the  maternal — not  as  now,  lawless,  and  too  often  at  the 


SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  217 

An  Adulterous  Husband. 

mercy  of  unsexed  females.  Bv  weakening  the  system^ 
sexual  abuse  opens  all  its  avenues  to  disease.  We  do 
not  mean  sexual  diseases,  so-called;  but  when  the 
system  is  weakened  by  nervous  prostration,  every 
form  of  disease  takes  hold  of  it.  There  is  not  suffi- 
cient strength  left  to  digest  the  food  properly,  or  to 
resist  and  overcome  the  changeable  conditions  of 
the  weather,  and  other  external  influences.  "The 
strong  man  of  the  house  "  lies  bound  and  prostrate, 
drunk  with  passion. 

Houses  of  infamy  and  their  pollutions  are  not  the 
worst  results  of  sexual  abuses,  because  they  are  not 
confined  to  them;  they  are  diffused  into  families  and 
transmitted  to  children.  To  curse  one's  self  is  bad 
enough,  but  this  is  a  light  sin  compared  with  the 
crime  that  entails  misery  upon  innocent  babes,  and 
curses  future  generations.  Unsexed,  abandoned  wo- 
men, never  bear  children;  it  is  well  so.  They  do  not 
propagate  pollution  through  their  own  flesh  and 
blood;  nevertheless  their  evils  do  not  die  with  them. 
Yirtuous  women  are  often  diseased  through  an  adul- 
terous husband,  and  their  children  cursed  by  its 
transmission. 

The  evils  of  sexual   abuse   lurk   in  almost  every 


218  SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Results  of  Nervous  Debility. 

houseliold;  thej  have  cursed  all  the  past  of  humanity, 
and  must  curse  generations  jet  unborn.  In  wedlock 
the  abnormal  use  of  the  sexual  fanctioii  is  called  vir- 
tuous, because  the  law  sanctions  whatever  is  done  un- 
der the  cover  of  marital  law;  but  all  civil  laws  of  the 
land  can  never  prevent  its  evil  effects.  It  has  pro- 
duced a  race  of  men  physically  weak,  but  with  such 
strong  sexual  propensities  that  they  must  indulge,  at 
whatever  cost  to  wife  or  children,  and  at  the  cost  of 
maintaining  a  class  of  outcast  females  for  their  accom- 
modation. It  has  also  given  birth  to  a  class  of  ab- 
normal females  ready  for  self-pollution,  or  willing  to 
abandon  themselves  to  the  lusts  of  men. 

Sexual  commerce  is  just  as  bad  as  self-abuse,  when 
carried  to  the  same  excess.  In  a  certain  sense  it  is 
even  worse.  It  is  from  nervous  debility,  produced 
by  sexual  abuse  and  other  causes,  not  unfrequently 
by  too  hard  labor  in  the  middle  and  lower  classes, 
that  two-thirds  of  our  children  have  not  strength 
enough  to  live  through  the  period  of  infancy,  and 
combat  the  diseases  to  which  it  is  incident.  If  two- 
thirds  of  the  young  of  our  useful,  valuable,  domestic 
animals  should  die  in  this  way,  we  should  think  there 
was   something   wronsf   somewhere.     Human  beingfs 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  219 

Man's  Responsibility  for  Illegitimate  Children 

are  animals  in  tlie  liigliest  sense  of  the  word.  Right 
conditions  are  vastly  more  important  to  them  than  to 
the  lower  animals,  because  their  organizations  are  so 
much  higher- and  finer,  and  so  much  more  sensitive 
to  surrounding  influences.  Man  has  generally  recog- 
nized in  some  way  the  natural  sexual  division  of  la- 
bor. l£e  has  constituted  himself  woman's  protector, 
and  generally  assists  the  mother  in  the  labor  of  rais- 
ing the  children.  Nevertheless,  we  are  painfully  re- 
minded by  the  number  of  illegitimate  children  and 
infanticides  in  the  world,  that  the  exercise  of  man's 
responsibility  depends  very  much  upon  his  own  will. 
A  woman  cannot  so  easily  throw  off  her  maternal  re- 
sponsibilities. "When  she  does  shirk  them  as  far  as 
possible  by  killing  her  own  children,  let  no  man  be 
too  much  shocked  at  her  inhumanity,  but  let  them 
consider  that  their  own  want  of  manhood  has  driven 
her  to  the  deed.  A  woman  cannot  well  be  father  and 
mother  both  for  her  child,  and  provide  for  her  own 
wants,  too,  in  a  condition  of  society  where  her  labor 
is  not  considered  worth  paying  for. 

In  the  married  relation,  if,  added  to  the  functional 
burdens  of  maternity,  the  mother  is  subjected  to 
eevere  toil,  the  curse  of  weakness  will  fall  in  some 


220  SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Sorrows  of  Women  in  Conception. 

waj  upon  the  heads  of  her  children.  Mothers,  who 
labor  severely  in  the  open  air,  may  produce  children 
healthy  and  tongh,  but  they  will  be  mentally  dull 
and  stinted  in  size — not  powerful  either  in  mind  or 
body.  If  the  mother  uses  her  strength  in  her  muscles 
she  cannot  give  it  to  her  children.  Nature  will  not 
be  cheated.  Beware  how  you  keep  your  account 
with  her.  She  will  demand  of  you  "an  eye  for  an 
eye  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,"  and  future  generations 
"  shall  pay  the  utmost  farthing,"  for  all  our  abuses  ot 
life,  as  we  are  paying  to  day  for  the  abuses  of  the 
past. 

"The  sins  of  the  parents  shall  be  visited  upon  tlit 
children."  Frequently  we  see  strong  and  healthy 
mothers  with  weak,  nerveless  children.  Such  results 
are  always  the  abuse  of  power  in  some  way. 

A  willful  disobedience  of  Nature's  laws  have  greatly 
multiplied  the  sorrows  of  woman  in  conception  aiid 
child-bearing,  consequently,  man  has  ruled  over  her 
because  she  has  brought  forth  sons  of  lust  and  passion. 
As  disobedience  to  natural  laws  has  driven  humanity 
into  its  perverted  state,  nothing  short  of  obedience  can 
restore  it. 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  221 


Ante-nuptial  Relations. 


PART  XY. 

SPECIAL  HINTS  ABOUT  OUR  SEXUAL    RELATIONS. 

A  RGUIl^G  from  a  strictly  practical,  and  not  from  a 
sentimental  point  of  view,  but  with  all  reverence, 
we  hold  that  the  love  interchanged  between  man  and 
woman  is  no  mere  operation  of  the  mind,  no  sheer  in- 
tellectual process.  However  pure  this  passion  may 
be,  it  is  necessarily  twofold  in  its  nature.  It  is  an  al- 
loy, made  up,  like  ourselves,  of  body  and  mind — the 
grosser  mould  so  intermixed  with  the  more  ethereal, 
that  the  one  finds  its  most  passionate  expression  in 
the  fruition  of  the  other.  Abstract  love  between  the 
sexes  cannot,  therefore,  exist  in  any  other  sense  than 
those  engendered  by  blood-ties.  Forgetful  of  this  abso- 
lute law  of  our  being,  sentimentalists  have  judged  too 
harshly  of  Abelard,  and  lavished  too  one-sided  a  sym- 
pathy upon  Heloise.  Without  further  comment,  the 
ante-nuptial  relations,  at  least  such  customs  are  there- 


222  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Causes  of  Uterine  Trouble. 

fore,  when  prolonged,  very  disturbing  elements  to  a 
young  girl's  health. 

Long  engagements,  by  keeping  np  a  wearing  nerv- 
ous erethism,  are  not  only  recognized,  but  even  classi- 
fied, by  alienists,  as  one  of  the  causes  of  insanity 
among  women.  Much  more  frequently  the  nervous 
exaltation  is  spent  upon  the  reproductive  organs  ;  for 
there  follows  an  awakening  of  sense  which  is  not,  as 
in  man,  appeased  by  the  distractions  of  business  pur- 
suits. Uterine  trouble  from  this  source  any  open- 
eyed  physician  will  over  and  over  again  see. 

If  the  caresses  of  lovers  are  prejudicial  to  good 
health,  every  like  relation  between  the  sexes  must  be 
exposed  to  like  dangers.  In  too  many  rural  districts, 
and  in  the  lower  classes  of  citizens,  such  license  is  tol- 
erated in  the  social  intercourse  between  the  youth  of 
each  sex,  as  must  be  destructive  both  to  good  health 
and  to  good  morals.  The  "old  folks"  are  shelved  too 
soon.  Young  people  are  left  too  much  to  themselves, 
and  thrown  too  much  together.  Their  social  gather- 
ings are  too  rarely  presided  over  by  their  mothers  or 
their  seniors.  As  a  very  natural  consequence,  their 
games  become  coarse,  their  forfeits  immodest;  and  lit- 
tle by  little   this   freedom   from    restraint   is   liable 


bEOitEl-   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  223 

Honey-moon  Journey. 

tinall}'^  to  degenerate  into  such  gross  familiarities 
as  would  be  improper  between  even  affianced  lovers. 
An  unnatural  sexual  excitement  is  thus  kept  np, 
which  must  do  physical  harm.  The  excesses  of  the 
honeymoon  journey,  conjoined  with  its  fatigue  and  its 
discomforts,  are  too  often  the  starting-point  of  uterine 
disease.  All  excesses  in  the  sexual  relations  between 
husband  and  wife — relations  which,  when  abused,  are 
productive  of  much  mischief,  particularly  among  the 
newly  married.  Un mastered  importunity,  and  too 
submissive  an  affection,  must  be  met  by  separate 
beds,  by  uucommunicating  rooms,  and  if  need  be, 
by  strong  expostulation.  But  there  are  yet  other  se- 
cret sins  which,  like  the  plague  of  the  frogs,  creep  in- 
to our  "houses  and  bed-chambers  and  beds  ;"  sins 
which  are  vile  and  filthy.  Everywhere  we  find  heads 
of  large  families  that  are  practicing  detestable  arts  to 
avoid  offspring.  Physicians  are  consulted  every  day 
for  the  mental  and  bodily  infirmities  resulting  from 
these  and  other  sexual  sins. 

The  moral  and  physical  degradation  resulting  from 
these  vicious  sexual  relations  is  irreparable;  so  dama- 
ging are  they  to  good  health  and  good  morals,  so  fatal 
to  national  prosperity,  that  we  cannot  go  far  astray  in 
assaulting;  them  with  evcrv  avai^a^^^'^  ""^"-^on. 


224:  SECRET   SIXS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Shameful  Maneu^  ers  in  Wedlock. 

The  sexual  instinct  has  been  given  to  man  for  the 
perpetuation  of  his  species;  but  in  order  to  refine  this 
gift,  and  to  set  limits  to  its  abuse,  it  has  been  wisely- 
ordered  that  a  purely  intellectual  quality — that  of  love 
— should  find  its  passionate  expression  in  the  gratifi- 
cation of  this  instinct. 

Disassociate  the  one  from  the  other,  and  man  sinks 
below  the  level  of  the  brute.  Destroy  the  reciprocity 
of  the  union,  and  marriage  is  no  longer  an  equal  part- 
nership, but  a  sensual  usurpation  on  the  one  side,  and 
a  loathing  submission  on  the  other.  Consider  tlie 
moral  efiects  of  such  shameful  maneuvers:  wedlock 
lapses  into  licentiousness;  the  wife  is  degraded  into 
a  mistress;  love  and  affection  change  into  aversion 
and  hate. 

Without  sufi'ering  some  penalty,  man  cannot  disturb 
the  conditions  of  his  well-being  or  trespass  beyond  its 
limitations.  Let  him  transgress  her  physical  laws,  and 
Nature  exacts  a  forfeit;  dare  he  violate  his  moral 
obligations,  an  ofi*ended  Deity  stands  ready  to  avenge 
them.  That  this  law  is  immutable,  witness  from  the 
history  read  to  you — the  estrangement  between  husband 
and  wife;  witness  her  ill  health  and  ill  temper,  and  the 
wreck  of  body  and  mind  to  which  she  has  been  re- 
duced. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  225 

His  Keen  Sense  of  Self-abasement— No  Self-control. 

The  husband  suffers  mentally,  because  no  man  can 
behave  in  so  unmanly  a  way  without  a  keen  sense  of 
self-abasement,  without  being  stung  by  tlie  chastise- 
ment of  remorse.  Dishonor  the  body,  the  temple  of 
the  soul,  and  you  dishonor  the  soul.  Again,  by  this 
cowardly  recoil,  his  enjoyment  in  the  act  is  so  blunted 
that  he  is  tempted  to  seek  elsewhere  for  those  pleas- 
ures which  are  denied  him  at  home.  Further, 
he  suffers  physically,  because  although  he  passes 
through  the  crisis  of  the  sexual  act,  and  com- 
pletes it  in  that  sense,  yet,  owing  to  his  with- 
drawal from  the  person  of  his  wife  just  before  the 
moment  of  ejecnlation,  this  acme  of  the  organism, 
by  the  lack  of  the  normal  and  necessary  adjuvant,  viz: 
the  rugous  and  constringing  vagina,  is  not  sufficiently 
prolonged  to  wholly  empty  the  vasa  deferentia. 
Enough  of  the  semen  remains  behind  to  tease  his  or- 
gans  and  kindle  in  him  desires  too  importunate  to  tol- 
erate any  great  self-control.  He  is  thus  goaded  on  to 
such  sexual  excesses  as  no  brain  nor  brawn  can  long 
support;  for  a  constant  drain  on  the  life-giving  fluid 
implies — a  constant  decrepitude  will  inevitably  ensue 
if  this  practice  of  "  conjugal  onanism  "  is  persisted  in 
Nor  is  this  name  a  misnomer;  for  there  is  no  essen- 
15 


226  secrf;t  sins  of  suciety. 

What  Provokes  the  Desire. 

tial  difference  between  this  habit  and  that  of  mastur- 
bation. Both  injure  in  precisely  the  same  way,  and 
for  precisely  the  same  reasons.  It  does  indeed  seem 
to  be  tlie  law  of  nature  that  man  must  suffer  the  pun- 
ishment of  the  onanist  if  he  parts  with  the  "  seed  of 
another  life  "  in  any  other  way  than  that  by  which  it 
tends  to  become  fruitful.  The  w^ife  suffers  the  most, 
because  she  both  sins  and  is  sinned  against.  She 
sins,  because  she  shirks  those  responsibilities  for 
which  she  was  created.  She  is  sinned  against,  be- 
cause she  is  defrauded  of  her  rights.  Lawful  congress 
completely  performed  so  far  satisfies  an  imperious  in- 
stinct, that  attendent  local  congestions  are  at  once  re- 
lieved, and  to  great  nervous  excitement  succeeds  a 
calm  repose  of  body  and  mind.  On  the  other  hand, 
conjugal  onanism  provokes  in  her  desires  which  keenly 
solicit  that  very  gratification  which  is  denied  by  the 
nature  of  the  act.  The  excessive  stimulation  of  the 
whole  reproductive  apparatus  remains  unappeased. 
A  nervous  superexcitation  continues,  which  keeps  up, 
as  in  our  patient,  a  sexual  excitement  and  a  hyperaes- 
thesia  of  the  parts.  By  forfeiting  her  conjugal  rights, 
she  does  not  reach  that  conjuncture  which  loosens  the 
tension  of  the  coarctative  muscles  of  her  erectile  tissues. 


SECUET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY.  227 

The  111  Effects  of  such  Practices. 

Hence  the  congestive  orgasm  of  the  vagina,  womb 
ovaducts,  and  oi'  the  ovaries,  does  not  at  once  pass 
away,  but  persists  for  some  time — perhaps  is  not 
wholly  eft'aced  before  another  incomplete  coition 
brings  a  fresli  installment.  Thus  arise  engorgements, 
erasions,  and  displacementsofthe  uterus,  and  inflamma- 
tion of  its  appendages,  accompanied,  of  course,  by  all 
those  protean  mental  and  physical  manifestations  which 
M'e  so  often  see.  She  takes  distorted  views  of  life  and 
of  the  marriage  rehition,  and  harbors  resentment 
against  her  husband  as  the  author  of  all  her  ills. 

Again:  for  the  ill  efiects  of  such  practices  accumu- 
late— the  very  barrenness  aimed  at  by  these  criminal 
expedients  is  in  itself  a  source  of  disease. 

In  the  sterile  woman  the  absence  of  pregnancy  pre- 
vents a  break  in  the  constantly  recurring  catamenia 
and  the  physiological  congestion  of  the  womb  by 
ceaseless  repetition,  is  liable  to  become  pathological. 
Add  to  this  the  unrelieved  congestions  arising  from 
incomplete  intercourse,  and  a  prolific  source  of  nterine 
and  of  hepatic  disorders  is  at  once  manifest.  In  this 
relation  we  call  attention  to  another  source  of  sexual 
trouble — either  from  nndue  order  on  the  part  of  the 
husband,  or  from  the  too  frigid  nature  of  the  wife — the 


228  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Husband  should  Practice  Self-controL 

sexual  crisis  with  him  is  over  before  hers  is  reached. 
Such  misadventures  are  productive  not  only  of  un- 
liappiness,  but  also  of  disease. 

Here,  as  in  conjugal  onanism,  the  female  reproduc- 
tive organs  are  kept  in  a  state  of  congestion,  which  is 
followed  by  like  ill  results,  the  difference  being  only 
in  degree  and  not  in  kind.  For  this  lack  of  recipro- 
cation— not,  however,  necessarily  fatal  to  impregna- 
tion— the  husband  should  practice  self-denial  as  re- 
gards the  frequency  of  congress,  and  greater  self-con- 
trol during  the  act,  together  with  a  recourse  to  such 
promptings  as  a  warm  and  an  honorable  affection  may 
suggest. 

Marriage,  without  children,  acts  like  a  slow  poison 
on  the  constitution  of  most  women.  Show  me  a  house 
without  children,  and,  ten  to  one,  you  show  me  an 
abode  dreary  in  its  loneliness,  disturbed  by  jealousy 
or  by  estrangement,  distasteful  from  wayward  caprice 
or  from  unlovable  eccentricity. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  229 


Its  PreTalence— Brazen  Effrontery 


PAET  XYI. 

PROSTITUTION. 

FTIHE  most  abominable  of  all  the  sins  of  societj,  and 
that  which  has  smirched  and  blackened  humanity 
from  the  earliest  periods  of  time,  is  that  of  illicit  in- 
tercourse, or  prostitution.  No  terms  are  too  strong 
in  its  condemnation,  no  judgment  too  severe.  Untold 
millions  have  succumbed  to  this  unholy  crime.  Its 
loathsome  subjects  show  their  hideous  deformities, 
alike  among  the  highly  cultured,  and  the  lowly  ig- 
norant. Dens  of  this  vice  abound  in  every  city,  vil- 
lage and  hamlet  throughout  Christendom. 

Their  habitues^  without  shame,  and  with  brazen 
fronts,  walk  the  most  public  thoroughfares,  infest 
halls  of  legislation  and  justice;  appear  in  everyplace 
of  entertainment,  and  even  desecrate  the  house  of  God, 
flaunting  their  infamy  in  the  face  of  Christianity 
purity  and  virtue.     Wherever  man  is,   and  wherever 


230  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Its  Origin  and  Cause. 

he  goes,  there  will  the  scarlet  woman  follow;  though 
she  has  to  brave  the  terrors  and  wildness  of  a  miner's 
camp,  far  beyond  the  confines  of  civilization. 

The  attention  of  philanthropists  and  legislators  has 
been  time  and  again  called  to  prostitution's  alarming* 
increase,  and  the  direful  results  that  attend  it.  Scheme 
upon  scheme,  theory  upon  theory,  have  been  advanced 
toward  a  solution  of  this  question.  The  authors  of 
each  have  claimed  the  possession  of  a  specific.  Tet 
the  scourge  remains.  No  nation  has  escaped  its  fear- 
■ful  ravages.  In  the  history  of  all,  the  hidden  head  of 
licentiousness  is  found  sapping  their  vitality  and 
strength,  and  finally  hurling  to  destruction  people, 
who,  though  they  have  le^  the  world  captive,  finally 
fall  before  the  assault  of  their  own  beastly  passions. 

Yet,  though  the  past  is  replete  with  terrible  lessons 
we  of  the  present  day  have  not  heeded  the  warning 
contained  therein.  The  cloven  hoof  of  the  withering 
curse  is  seen  in  every  avenue  of  modern  society,  and 
the  question  arises,  "What  are  the  causes  of  a  vice  so 
monstrous  in  its  character,  and  so  gross  in  its  out- 
rages upon  nature's  laws?"  "Why  will  women  sell 
their  bodies,  violating  by  the  act  heaven's  grandest 
design,  and  calling  upon  themselves   a   most  terrible 


BECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  231 

How  Fostered.'  " 

retribution?  It  in  the  main  has  its  origin  in  the 
transmission  of  sensual  prQclivities.  History  is  re- 
plete with  numerous  illustrations  of  this.  They  are 
repeated  both  in  biblical  and  profane  writ,  when  the 
daughters  of  rulers  and  law-givers  discerned  evident 
tendencies  towards  moral  turpitude,  such  as  character- 
ized their  parents. 

Through  all  classes,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor, 
cultured  and  ignorant,  from  earth's  dawn  almost  un- 
til now,  this  principle  has  its  numberless  illustrations 
and  examples.  Founded  in  perverted  sexual  laws,  it 
has  been  encouraged  and  fostered  by  a  laxity  of  paren- 
tal discipline,  and  by  a  non-observance  of  that  proper 
instruction  which  is  demanded  at  the  fireside.  Again, 
conjugal  infelicity  has  aided  towards  the  great  demor- 
alization, together  with  a  false  and  pernicious  pride, 
which  is  the  direct  outgrowth  of  fashionable  follies 
and  desires.  A  debased  and  lecherous  literature  joins  ' 
in  the  work  of  affording  sustenance  to  their  sensual  pro-  ' 
ciivities,  while  the  press  of  the  present  day  adds  its 
fuel  to  the  flame,  by  its  beastly  rehearsals  of  the  various 
phases  of  society's  worst  and  most  damnable  sins. 
The  result  is,  harlotism  appearing  under  all  shapes  and 
forms. 


232  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman  Vends  her  Body— Man  the  Ready  Buye 

It  is  seen  not  only  in  the  brothel,  and  upon  the 
highways,  shamelessly  brazen,  but  it  hides  itself  under 
the  mantle  of  outward  cleanliness  and  decency,  defil- 
ing with  its  cursed  influence  the  innocent  and  pure  who 
come  in  contact  with  it.  Woman's  shame  is  the  high- 
est priced  of  the  world's  commodities,  and  men  freely 
paj'  for  it.  The  vender,  with  syren  voice  cries  its  sale, 
ready  to  deliver  up  her  body  to  the  highest  bidder. 

To  him  who  has  a  sincere  regard  for  humanity  there 
is  no  more  appalling  sight  than  is  presented  by  this 
sexual  and  social  crime. 

In  no  particular  is  there  a  greater  violation  of  heav- 
en s  holiest  laws,  to  say  nothing  of  the  physical  ruin 
that  it  entails;  all  the  finer  sensibilities  of  the  heart 
and  mind  are  blunted — the  natural  consequences — 
when  purity  and  chastity  have  fled. 

That  chief  bulwark  of  society — the  home-circle — re- 
lies upon  this  purity  and  chastity  for  its  main  support. 
When  it  falls  the  nation  falls.  It  is  an  inevitable  con- 
sequence. History  ever  repeats  itself.  That  of  ours 
will  be  no  exception,  unless  society  makes  some  effort 
to  purge  itself  of  this  terrible  sin.  Is  it  indeed  to  be 
that  this  Nation,  peopling  the  fairest  garden  of  all 
earth,  rejoicing  in  a  superior  intelligence,  favored  with 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  233 

The  Result  of  the  Terrible  Scourge 

opportunities  far  beyond  those  of  any  other,  and  ca- 
pable of  obtaining  the  highest  plane  of  humanity,  is  to 
yet  fall  and  crumble  to  pieces  before  this  scourge  which 
is  sweeping  over  our  land  ?  Such  will  be  the  resnlt 
r.nless  society  pauses  to  consider  its  iniquity,  and  re- 
turn to  a  proper  observance  of  the  sexual  laws  and  re- 
lations which  are  so  intimately  connected  with  this 
question. 


234  SECTET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY, 


The  Demand  and  Supply— How  Regnlated. 


PAET  XYII. 

THE  CAUSES  OF  PROSTITUTION. 

WE  will,  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  call  attention 
to  prostitution  as  it  exists  among  us  at  the 
present  day.  At  the  outset  we  will  consider  the 
causes  that  produce,  or  tend  to  perpetuate  the  evil 
state  of  things  which  has  become  a  foul  blot  upon  civ- 
ilization. 

"We  may  first  of  all  broadly  state  the  somewhat  self- 
evident  proposition  that  prostitution  exists  and  flour- 
ishes, because  there  is  a  demand  for  the  article  sup- 
plied by  its  agency.  Supply,  as  we  all  know,  is  regu- 
lated by  demand,  and  demand  is  the  practical  expres- 
sion of  an  ascertained  want.  Want  and  demand  may 
be  either  natural  or  artificial.  Articles  necessary  for  the 
support  or  protection  of  life,  such  as  meat  and  drink, 
fire,  clothes  and  lodging,  are  the  objects  of  natural  de- 
mand.    In  these  the  extent  of  the  demand   is    meas- 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  235 

Strong  desire  for  Sexual  Intercourse  by  the  Male. 

ured  entirely  by  the  want,  and  this  latter  will  neither  be 
increased  by  an  abundance  of  supply,  nor  diminished 
by  a  scarcity. 

Articles  of  luxury  are  the  objects  of  artificial  de- 
mand, which  depends,  not  merely  on  the  want,  but  is 
actually  increased  by  the  supply  ;  that  is  to  say,  the 
desire  for  these  articles  grows  with  the  possession  and 
enjoyment  of  them.  This  feature  is  peculiarly  notice- 
able in  prostitution,  though  in  strictness,  perhaps,  it 
cannot  be  placed  in  the  category  of  artificial  wants. 
The  want  of  prostitutes  grows  with  the  use  of  them. 
We  may  also  observe  that  in  other  cases  the  demand 
is  active,  and  the  supply  passive;  in  this  the  supply  is 
active,  so  that  we  may  almost  say  the  supplj^  rather 
than  the  want  creates  the  demand,  "We  must  not  here 
lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  desire  for  sexual  inter- 
course is  strongly  felt  by  the  male  on  attaining  pu- 
berty, and  continues  through  his  life,  an  ever-present, 
sensible  want ;  it  is  most  necessary  to  keep  this  in 
view,  for,  true  though  it  be,  it  is  constantly  lost  siglit 
of,  and  erroneous  theories,  producing  on  the  one  hand 
coercive  legislation,  on  the  other,  neglect  of  obvious 
evils,  are  the  result. 

This  desire  of  the  male  is  the  want  that  produces 


6ECEET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 


The  Force  of  Sexual  Desire 


the  demand,  of  which  prostitution  is  a  result,  and 
which  is,  in  fact,  the  artificial  supply  of  a  natural  de- 
mand, taking  the  place  of  the  natural  supply  through 
the  failure  of  the  latter,  or  the  vitiated  character  of 
the  demand. 

It  is  impossible  to  exaggerate  the  force  of  sexual 
desire;  we  must,  however,  bear  in  mind  that  man  is 
not  a  mere  material  existence;  his  nature  inchides 
also  mind  and  spirit,  and  he  is  endowed  with  con- 
science to  admonish,  reason  to  regulate,  and  will  to 
control  his  desires  and  actions.  "Woman  was  created 
to  be  the  companion  of  man,  and  her  nature  presents 
the  exact  counterpart  of  his.  It  is  evident  that  if  so 
composite  a  being  permits  any  of  the  different  con- 
stituent parts  of  his  nature  to  attain  to  undue  propor- 
tions, he  thereby  impoverishes  and  weakens  the 
others,  and  in  proportion  as  he  does  this,  and  ac- 
cords indulgence  to  one  set  of  qualities  and  in- 
clinations at  the  expense  of  the  rest,  he  deteriorates 
from  his  real  nature.  lie  is,  in  truth,  an  unmanly 
man,  who  devotes  all  his  time  and  care  to  athletic  and 
ph3^sical  pursuits  and  enjoyments;  so  is  the  man  who 
forgets  or  despises  his  body,  and  gives  all  his  care  to 
the  mind  and  intellect ;  and  so,  also,  is  the  man  who 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  237 

The  Standard  of   Human  Perfection. 

withdraws  from  life  its  enjoyments  and  duties,  and 
devotes  himself  exclusively  to  meditation  and  spirit- 
ual exercise.  Men,  in  proportion  as  the  different  ele- 
ments in  their  being  receive  fair  play  and  produce 
their  desires,  may  be  considered  to  approach  more  or 
less  nearly  the  standard  of  human  perfection.  The 
intercourse,  therefore,  of  man  or  woman  ought  to  ap- 
peal to  their  threefold  organization  of  body,  mind  and 
spirit.  If  the  first  predominates  over  and  excludes 
the  others,  sexual  desire  degenerates  into  lust ;  when 
all  are  present,  it  is  elevated  into  love,  which  appeals 
to  each  of  the  component  parts  of  man's  nature.  The 
men  who  seek  gratification  for,  and  the  woman  who 
bestows  it  on,  one  part  of  their  being  only,  are  in  an 
unnatural  state.  And  here  we  may  distinguish  the 
indulgence  of  unlawful  love  from  commerce  with  pros- 
titutes; the  one  is  the  ill-regulated  but  complete  grat- 
ification of  the  entire  human  being;  the  other  affords 
gratification  to  one  part  only  of  liis  nature. 

One  other  distinction  also  we  must  carefully  notice, 
and  that  is,  that  in  the  one  case  the  enjoyment  is 
mutual;  and  that  in  the  other  the  enjoyment  is  one- 
sided, and  granted  not  as  the  expression  and  reward 
of  love,  but  as  a  matter  of  commerce;  but  if  it  is 


238  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

The  two  Cases— Mutual  and  one-sided  Enjoyment. 

derogatory  to  their  being,  and  unnatural  to  bestow 
gratification  on  the  one  part  of  their  nature  only, 
what  shall  we  say  of  the  condition  of  those  unfortu- 
nate women  to  whom  sexual  indulgence  affords  no 
pleasure,  and  who  pass  their  lives  in,  and  gain  their 
living  by,  affording  enjoyments  which  they  do  not 
share,  and  feigning  a  passion  which  has  ceased  to 
move  them.  The  woman  who  abandons  herself  for 
gain,  instead  of  in  obedience  to  the  promptings  of 
desire — 

"  Who,  while  her  lover  pants  upon  her  breast. 
Can  count  the  figures  on  an  Indian  chest," 

is  in  an  unnatural  state;  and  so  is  the  man  who  uses 
her,  and  obtains  for  a  mere  money  consideration  that 
enjoyment  of  the  person  which  should  be  yielded  only 
as  the  result  and  crowning  expression  of  mutual  pas- 
sion. 

We  may  now  consider  a  little  more  in  detail,  the 
want,  the  demand,  and  the  supply.  The  want  is,  in  its 
inception,  a  natural  want,  and  is  simply  the  perversion 
of  the  natural  desire  of  every  male  for  female  compan- 
ionship; it  is  asserted  by  some  writers  that  indulgence 
in  sexual  intercourse  is  necessary  for  the  male  as  soon 
as  he  has  attained  puberty,  and  they  present  us  with 
pitiable  pictures  of  the   unhappy  condition  to   which 


SECRET    SIISS    OF    SOCIETY.  239 

How  the  Mind  and  Body  become  Demoralized. 

many  are  reduced,  who  from  timiditj  or  religious  or 
moral  influences,  refrain  from  giving  free  scope  to 
their  desires,  and  who  deduce  from  this  the  somewhat 
startling  proposition  that  freer  sexual  intercourse  than 
is  at  present  countenanced  by  tlie  conscience  and  prac- 
tice of  society,  should  be  accorded,  ^o  doubt  the 
cases  cited  by  the  supporters  of  this  theory  are  very 
pitiable;  they  will,  liowever,  scarcely  have  the  hardi- 
hood to  assert  that  marriage  immediately  on  attain- 
ing puberty,  would  tend  to  the  proper  dev^elopment 
of  the  man,  or  be  otherwise  than  injurious,  ratlier 
than  marriage  or  sexual  gratification.  We  wouM 
suggest,  as  the  true  remedy,  that  morbid  excitement 
should  be  con-ected  by  healthy  bodily  exercise,  and 
mental  application.  If  the  young  permit  themselves 
to  dwell  unduly  on  sexual  ideas,  a  demoralizing  con- 
dition of  mind  and  body  must  result. 

The  want  that  finds  relief  in  prostitutes,  is  the  un- 
bridled desire  of  precocious  youths  and  vicious  men. 
In  like  manner  the  demand  is  occasioned  by  the  in- 
dulgence of  the  vicious,  and  therefore,  unnatural  want. 
It  arises  from  men  forgetting  that  they  are  not  placed 
in  this  world  merely  to  gratify  their  appetites. 
Man's  plain  duty  is  to  seek  in  honorable  love  the 


240  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Demands  for   Prostitution. 

gratification  of  manly  desire,  and  to  wait  for  enjoy- 
ment till  he  has  earned  the  right  to  it.     There  is  a 
right  and  wrong  way  of  gratifying  natural  desires;  it 
is,  as  we  have  seen,  not  only  possible  to  choose   the 
right,  but  more  beneficial  both  to  mind  and  body. 
The  demand  for  prostitution  arises,  then,  from  ill-reg- 
ulated and  uncontrolled  desire,  and  may  be  referred  to 
the  following  heads: 
The  natural  instinct  of  man. 
His  sinful  nature. 
The  artificial  state  of  society  rendering  early  marriages 

difiicult,  if  not  impossible. 
The  unwillingness  of  many,  who  can  afford  marriage, 
to  submit  to  its  restraint  and  incur  its  obligations. 
To  a  man's  calling  preventing  him  from  marrying,  or 
debarring  him  when  married  from  conjugal  inter- 
course. 

The  unrestrained  want  and  lawless  demand,  call  for 
the  infamous  supply;  but  want  and  demand  are  in- 
sufficient of  themselves  to  create  supply;  they  are 
strong  provoking  causes,  but  not  creative.  "We  must 
go  a  step  further  to  discover  the  source  of  supply. 

It  is  derived  from  the  vice  of  women,  which  is 
occasioned  by 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  241 

The  Artificial  State  of  Society. 

Natural  desire. 

Natural  sinfulness. 

The  preferment  of  indolent  ease  to  labor. 

Yicious  inclinations  strengthened  and  ingrained  by 

earlj  neglect,  or  evil  training,  bad  associates,  and 

an  indecent  mode  of  life. 
Necessity,  imbued  by  the  inability  to  obtain  a  living 
by  hottest  means,  consequent  on  a  fall  from  virtue. 
Extreme  poverty. 

To  this  black  list  may  be  added  love  of  drink,  love 
of  dress,  love  of  amusement,  while  the  fall  from  virtue 
may  result  either  from  a  woman's  love  being  bestowed 
on  an  unworthy  object,  who  fulfills  his  professions  of 
attachment  by  deliberately  exposing  her  to  temptation. 
Every  unchaste  woman  is  not  a  prostitute.  By  un- 
chastity  a  woman  becomes  liable  to  lose  character, 
position,  and  the  means  of  living;  and  when  these  are 
lost  is  too  often  reduced  to  prostitution  for  support, 
which,  therefore,  may  be  described  as  the  trade  adopted 
by  all  women  who  have  abandoned  or  are  precluded 
from  an  honest  course  of  life,  or  who  lack  the  power 
or  the  inclination  to  obtain  a  livelihood  from  other 
sources.  What  is  a  prostitute?  She  is  a  woman  who 
gives  for  mowey  that  which  she  ought  to  give  only 
16 


242  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

i  A  Woman  with  half  the  Woman  gons. 

for  love;  who  ministers  to  passion  and  lust  alone,  to 
the  exclusion  and  extinction  of  all  higher  qualities, 
and  nobler  sources  of  enjoyment,  which  combine  with 
desire  to  produce  the  happiness  derived  from  the  in- 
tercouse  of  the  sexes. 

She  is  a  woman  with  half  the  woman  gone,  and 
that  half  containing  all  that  elevates  her  nature,  leav- 
ing her  a  mere  instrument  of  impurity;  degraded  and 
fallen,  she  extracts  from  the  sin  of  others  the  means 
of  living,  corrupt,  and  dependent  on  corruption,  and 
therefore  interested  directly  in  the  increase  of  immor- 
ality— a  social  pest,  carrying  contamination  and  foul- 
ness to  every  quarter  of  the  world.  Such  women, 
ministers  of  evil  passions,  not  only  gratify  desire,  but 
also  arouse  it.  Compelled  by  necessity  to  seek  for 
customers,  they  throng  our  streets  and  public  places, 
and  suggest  evil  thoughts  and  desires  which  might 
otherwise  remain  undeveloped. 

Confirmed  profligates  will  seek  out  the  means  of 
gratifying  their  desires;  the  young  from  a  craving 
to  discover  unknown  mysteries,  may  approach  the 
haunts  of  sin,  but  thousands  would  remain  uncon- 
taminated  if  temptation  did  not  seek  them  out.  Pros- 
titutes have  the  power  of  soliciting  and  tempting. 


SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  243 

SexualPassion  Strong  in  Proportion  as  it  is  Encouraged. 

The  sexual  passion  is  strong  in  every  man,  but  it  is 
strong  in  proportion  as  it  is  encouraged  or  restrained ; 
and  every  act  of  indulgence  only  makes  future  absti- 
nence more  hard,  and  in  time  almost  impossible. 
Some  consider  that  prostitution  is  the  safety-valve  of 
society,  and  that  and  serious  diminution  of  the  num- 
ber of  prostitutes  would  be  attended  with  an  increase 
of  clandestine  immodesty.  Such  a  consequence  is  not 
one  we  think  need  be  apprehended ;  the  insinuation  that 
virtuous  women,  to  bo  made  to  yield,  require  only  to 
be  assaulted,  is  a  base  and  unworthy  calumny;  nor  is 
it  to  be  supposed  that  the  man  who  will  use  a  harlot 
is  prepared  to  insult  or  injure  a  modest  woman. 

But  intercourse  with  depraved  women  debases  the 
mind,  and  ^raduallv  hardens  the  heart,  and  each  act  of 
gratification  stimulates  desire  and  necessitates  fresh  in- 
dulgence; and  when  grown  into  a  habit,  not  only  breeds 
distaste  for  virtuous  society,  but  causes  the  mind  to 
form  a  degraded  estimate  of  the  sex,  until  women  seem 
mere  objects  of  desire  and  vehicles  of  indulgence. 

The  prostitute  is  a  sad  burlesque  of  woman,  pre- 
senting herself  as  an  object  of  lust  instead  of  an  object 
of  honorable  love,  a  source  of  base  gratification,  in- 
stead of  a   reason  for  self-restraint;  familiarizing  man 


244  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Causes  that  lead  the  Mind  to  form  a  Degraded  Estimate  of  the  Sex. 

with  this  aspect  of  women  till  lie  can  see  no  other,  and 
his  indulged  body  and  debased  mind  lead  him  to  seek 
in  them  only  sensual  gratilication,  and  to  make,  if 
possible,  of  every  woman  tlie  thing  that  he  desires 
— a  toy,  a  plaything,  an  animated  doll;  a  thing  to 
wear  like  a  glove,  and  fling  away;  to  use  like  a  horse 
and  to  send  to  the  knackers  when  worn  out;  the  mere 
object  of  his  fancy  and  servant  of  his  appetite,  instead  of 
an  immortal  being,  composed  like  himself  of  body,  soul 
and  spirit — his  associate  and  consort,  endowed  with 
memory  and  hope  and  strong'affections — with  a  heart  to 
love,  to  feel,  to  suffer;  man's  highest  prize  and  surest 
safeguard;  the  inspirer  of  honest  love  and  manly  exer- 
tion. 

It  may  be  said,  indeed,  that  the  primary  causes  and 
the  first  two  subdivisions  of  the  secondary,  nam  el  j^: 
the  artificial  and  local,  are  causes  tending  to  produce 
prostitution  as  a  system,  of  which  we  may  predicate 
that  it  always  must  exist  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  of 
intensity;  while  the  individual  causes  are  those  which 
enable  us  to  account  for  the  presence  in  the  class  of 
unfortunates  of  the  ditferent  individuals,  of  which  tlie 
following  are  the  principal — seduction,  poverty,  idle- 
ness, love  of  dress,  love  of  'pleasure,  vicious  training 
and  associations,  and  evil  habits. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  245 

The  Faults  of  Society— Preventing  Early  Marriage. 

Again,  the  laws  which  society  imposes  in  the  pres- 
ent day  in  respect  to  marriage  upon  young  men  be- 
longing to  the  middle  class  are,  in  the  highest  degree, 
unnatural,  and  are  the  real  cause  of  most  of  our  social 
corruptions.  The  father  of  a  family  has,  in  many  in- 
stances, risen  from  a  comparatively  humble  origin  to 
a  position  of  easy  competence.  His  wife  has  her  car- 
riage; he  associates  with  men  of  wealth  greater  than 
his  own.  His  sons  reach  the  age  when  in  the  natural 
course  of  things,  they  ought  to  marry  and  establish  a 
home  for  themselves.  It  would  seem  no  great  hard- 
ship that  a  young  couple  should  begin  on  the  same 
level  as  their  parents  began,  and  be  content  for  the 
first  few  years  with  the  mere  necessaries  of  life;  and 
there  are  thousands  who,  were  it  not  for  society,  would 
gladly  marry  on  such  terms.  But  here  the  tyrant 
world  interposes;  the  son  must  not  marry  until  he 
can  maintain  an  establishment  on  much  the  same 
footing  as  his  father's.  If  he  dare  to  set  the  law  at 
defiance,  his  family  lose  caste,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
quietly  dropped  out  of  the  circle  in  which  they  have 
hitherto  moved.  All  that  society  will  allow  is  an  en- 
gagement, and  then  we  have  the  sad  but  familiar 
sight  of  two  young  lovers  wearing  out  their  best  years 


24:6  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

What  Society  allows— Worldly  Diflaculties. 

with  hearts  sickened  with  hope  long  deferred;  often; 
after  all  ending  in  disappointment,  or  in  the  shattered 
health  of  the  poor  girl,  unable  to  bear  up  against  the 
harrassing  anxiety.  Or  even  when  a  long  engage- 
ment does  finally  end  in  marriage,  how  diminished  are 
the  chances  of  happiness.  The  union,  which  if  al- 
lowed at  first,  would  have  proved  happy,  under  worldly 
difficulty  has  lost  its  brightness  when  postponed 
until  middle  life,  even  with  competence  and  a  carriage. 
There  are  very  many  young  men  who  are  keeping 
themselves  pure  amid  all  temptations,  but  we  know 
too,  that  there  are  thousands  who  are  living  in  sin, 
chiefl}''  in  consequence  of  the  impossibility  (as  the 
world  saj^s)  of  their  marrying.  Some  go  quietly 
with  the  stream,  and  do  as  others  do  around  them, 
almost  without  a  thought  of  the  misery  they  are 
causing,  and  the  curse  they  are  laying  up  for  them- 
selves. But  many,  perhaps  most  of  them,  are  wretch- 
ed under  the  convictions  of  their  conscience.  We 
must  in  sadness  confess  that  in  face  of  the  powerful 
tyranny  of  social  law  in  this  country,  it  is  difficult  to 
suggest  any  general  remedy  for  the  evil.  But  the 
mischief  is  on  the  increase  with  our  increasing  wor- 
ship of  money,  and  public  attention  ought  to  be  ap- 
pealed to  on  the  subject. 


SECKET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  247 

Social  Tyranny  and  its  Results— Providential  Law. 

If  our  young  men  would  shake  off  these  affecta- 
tions, and  claim  a  position  in  society  for  themselves 
and  for  their  wives,  because  tney  are  qualified  for  it 
by  education  and  character,  and  not  merely  because 
they  represent  so  much  money,  they  will  soon  force 
the  world  to  give  way,  and  strike  down  one  of  the 
greatest  hindrances  to  their  own  happiness.  It  would 
not  be  difficult  to  bring  the  daughters  over  to  the 
same  opinion.  The  recognition  of  this  principle 
would  do  much  to  check  some  of  our  most  deadly 
social  evils. 

A  great  law  of  providence  cannot  be  neglected  with 
impunity,  and  this  undue,  artificial,  and  unnatural 
postponement  of  marriage  ends  in  a  great  blot  upon 
our  social  system.  Yice  is  the  result,  and  vice  creates 
a  class  of  victims  to  indulge  it. 

If  providence  has  ordained  that  man  should  not  live 
alone,  and  if  conventional  maxims  or  mere  empty 
fashions  and  the  artificial  attractions  of  society  lead 
to  overlooking  or  superseding  or  tampering  with  this 
law,  the  neglect  of  a  providerftial  law  will  surely 
avenge  itself  in  social  disease  and  corruption  in  one  or 
the  other  parts  of  the  system.  The  fear  of  poverty  has 
become  morbid,  and  men  cry  out  not  only  before  they 


248  SECRET    SIMS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Profligacy  of  the  Female 

are  liurt,  but  before  there  is  any  reasonable  prospect 
of  it.  Thej  forget  that  married  raeu  can  worh^  and 
that  marriage  is  a  stimulus  to  work,  and  again  and 
again  elicits  those  latent  activities  of  mind  which  pro- 
duce not  only  competency,  but  affluence. 

Inability  to  marry,  unwillingness  to  accept  the  ob- 
ligations imposed  by  married  life,  vicious  habits,  idle- 
ness and  love  of  pleasure — are  all  causes  which  operate 
on  individual  men,  and  induce  them  to  have  recourse 
to  the  society  of  prostitutes. 

The  causes  of  the  supply  have  now  to  be  examined. 
It  appears  to  be  pretty  generally  admitted  that  uncon- 
trollable sexual  desire  of  her  own,  play  but  a  little  part 
ill  inducing  profligacy  of  the  female.  They  yield  to 
desires  in  which  they  do  not  share,  from  a  weak  gen- 
erosity which  cannot  refuse  anything  to  the  passionate 
entreaties  of  the  man  they  love.  There  is  in  the  warm, 
fond  heart  of  woman  a  strange  and  sublime  unselfish- 
ness, which  men  too  commonly  discover  only  to  profit 
by. 

Many — far  more^han  would  generally  be  believed — 
fiill  from  pure  unknowingness.  Their  affections  are 
engaged,  their  confidence  secured,  thinking  no  evil 
themselves,  they  permit  caresses  which,  in  themselves 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  249 

tnttmate  Resistance  almost  Impossible. 

and  to  them  indicate  no  wrong,  and  are  led  on  igno- 
rantlj  and  thoughtlessly  from  one  familiarity  to  an- 
other, not  conscious  where  those  familiarities  must  in- 
evitably end,  till  ultimate  resistance  becomes  almost 
impossible,  and  they  learn  when  it  is  too  late,  what 
women  can  never  learn  too  early,  or  impress  too 
strongly  on  their  minds — that  a  lover's  encroachments, 
to  be  repelled  successfully,  must  be  repelled  and  neg- 
atived at  the  very  outset. 

Many  women  stray  from  the  paths  of  virtue,  and 
ultimately  swell  the  ranks  of  prostitution  through 
being,  by  their  positions,  peculiarly  exposed  to  temp- 
tation. The  women  to  whom  this  remark  applies  are 
chiefly  actresses,  milliners,  shop  girls,  domestic  serv- 
ants, and  women  employed  in  factories.  Of  these 
many,  no  doubt,  fall  through  vanity  and  idleness,  love 
of  dress,  love  of  excitement,  love  of  drink;  but  by  far 
the  larger  proportion  are  driven  to  evil  courses  by 
cruel,  biting  poverty. 

It  is  a  shameful  fact,  but  no  less  true,  that  the  low- 
ness  of  the  wages  paid  women  in  various  trades,  is  a 
fruitful  source  of  prostitution.  Unable  to  obtain  by 
their  labor  the  means  of  procuring  the  bare  neces- 
saries of  life,  they  gain,  by  surrendering  their  bodies 


250  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Results  of  Promiscuous  Herding  of  the  Sexes. 

to  evil  uses,  food  to  sustain  and  clothes  to  cover  them. 
What  wonder  if,  urged  on  by  want  and  toil,  encour- 
aged bj  evil  advisers,  and  exposed  to  selfish  tempters, 
a  large  proportion  of  these  poor  girls  fall  from  the 
path  of  virtue.  A  still  more  frightful  cause  is  found 
in  the  promiscuous  herding  of  the  sexes  through  the 
want  of  sufficient  house  accommodation,  and  the  in- 
decent mode  of  life  resultnig  therefrom. 

A  whole  family — the  father  and  mother,  the  sons 
and  daughters — young  men  and  young  women  and 
children,  are  thrown  together  in  the  same  room.  Cous- 
ins, too,  of  both  sexes  are  often  thrown  together  into 
the  same  room,  and  not  unfrequently  into  the  same 
bed.  In  low  lodging-houses — the  most  detestable 
haunts  of  vice — men,  women  and  children  are  received 
indiscriminately,  and  pass  the  night  huddled  together, 
without  distinction  of  age  or  sex — not  merely  in  one 
common  room,  but  often  one  common  bed;  even  if 
privacy  is  desired,  it  is  impossible  of  attainment;  no 
accommodation  is  made  for  decency,  and  the  practices 
of  the  inmates  are  on  a  par  with  the  accommodation. 
It  is  fearful  to  contemplate  human  beings  so  utterly 
abandoned — reduced  below  the  level  of  the  brute  cre- 
ation— with  the  absolute  neglect  of  children  by  pa- 


SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  251 

Scheming  and  Lustful  Men. 

rents,  and  the  interminable  scheming  of  lustful  men. 
We  end  the  roll  of  causes  which  have  operated  in  this 
direction  since  the  dawn  of  civilization,  and  sini^lj  or 
combined,  will  so  continue,  we  presume,  to  operate 
for  all  time. 


252  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


The  Different  Suppositions. 


PART  XYIIL 

THE  ORIGIN  OF  SYPHILIS. 

rriHE  question  concerning  the  origin  of  syphilis,  has 
given  rise  to  much  argument,  and  to  many  learned 
discussions.     The  three  suppositions  that  appear  most 
worthy  of  notice,  are: 
1st.     That  the  disease  was  brought  from  America   by 

the  Spaniards. 
2nd.     That  it  originated  in  Europe. 
3rd.     That  it   has  been  observed   from    the  earliest 

periods  of  human  existence. 
The  first  of  these  suppositions  was  promulgated  to 
a  great  extent  by  Ovedio,  a  Spaniard;  indeed,  he  re- 
ceived from  writers  upon  this  subject  the  entire  credit 
of  having  traced  the  course  of  the  disorder.  To  what- 
ever reputation,  however,  may  attach  to  such  research, 
Ovedio  was  not  entitled,  inasmuch  as  Leonliard 
Schmauss,  professor  at  Salzburg,  in  the  year   1518, 


SKCRKT    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  2j3 

Was  it  of  American  Origin. 

had  declared  the  same  fact.  The  opinion  of  Schmauss 
was  adopted  bj  Chevalier  Ulrich  Yon  Iiutton  (known 
afterwards  for  his  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
Luther),  A.  D.  1819.  The  assertion,  nevertheless,  of 
its  American  origin  did  not  find  very  manj  support- 
ers, notwithstanding  it  was  strenuously  advocated  and 
enforced  by  Oveido.  Among  those,  however,  whose 
minds  were  impressed  with  its  truth,  were  several  in- 
dividuals of  much  celebrity.  If  Oveido  was  quite  sin- 
cere in  the  opinion  he  expressed,  it  is  certain  that  feel- 
ings of  a  personal  nature  very  much  contributed  to 
augment  the  warmth  and  energy  with  which  he  main- 
tained his  position. 

Among  the  distinguished  opposers  of  the  American 
origin  of  this  disease  was  Yan  Helmont,  who  be- 
lieved it  to  be  a  new  disease,  supposed  its  birthplace 
to  be  Europe,  and  that  it  was  generated  in  the  army 
of  Charles  YIII,  at  the  siege  of  Naples.  Howard,  at 
a  later  period,  supported  the  same  opinion. 

In  the  year  1680,  Samuel  Jansen,  who  had  resided 
for  some  years  in  the  West  Indies,  not  having  observed 
the  appearance  of  syphilis  endemically,  supposed  that 
it  was  brought  by  the  slaves  from  Africa.  It  is  well 
known  that  both  Sydenham  and  Boerhaave  favored 


254:  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETT. 

Horrible  Accusation. 

this  opinion,  and  the  latter  defended  it  warmly  in 
1751.  But  slaves  were  not  carried  to  America  pre- 
vious to  the  year  1503,  and  at  that  time  the  disease 
was  prevailing  over  all  Europe. 

An  Italian  alchemist  propagated,  also,  a  very  curi- 
ous idea  concerning  the  origin  of  this  disease.  Lord 
Bacon  credited  the  story,  and  endeavored  by  his 
writings  to  render  it  more  plausible. 

"  The  length  of  the  siege  of  Naples,"  says  Lenoardo 
Fioravanti,  "having  caused  a  famine  among  the 
French  and  Spanish  troops,  the  merchants  brought 
food  to  the  soldiers,  sold  them  various  articles  prepared 
from  human  flesh,  and  all  those  who  made  use  of  the 
horrible  aliment  were  soon  affected  with  syphilis, 
which  was  disseminated  by  contagion  through  Italy, 
France  and  Spain."  Finalh',  J.  Astruc,  a  man  of 
mnch  learning  and  great  natural  talent,  but  whose 
acquirements,  according  to  Jourdan,  have  been  great- 
ly exaggerated,  endeavored,  and  succeeded  in  many 
instances,  in  convincing  the  world  that  the  disease  was 
imported  from  America. 

He  was  supported,  also,  by  Christoplier  Gertonner, 
a  person  of  many  and  varied  literary  and  scientific 
attainments. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETV.  255 

Its  Appearance  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

But  Jourdan,  taking  up  the  arguments  that  were 
brought  forward,  disposes  of  thera  one  bj  one  in  a 
most  satisfactory  manner. 

His  pamphlet  bears  the  impress  of  deep  thought, 
and  of  a  vast  amount  of  learning,  toil  and  research, 
and  should  be  pursued  by  every  student  who  is  inter- 
ested in  this  subject. 

He  says  (p.  44):  "The question  is  generally  put,  did 
syphilis  appear  for  the  first  time  towards  the  fifteenth 
century?  The  terms  are  not  sufiiciently  explicit, 
since,  as  a  preliminary  matter,  it  is  necessary  to  ex- 
plain what  is  meant  by  syphilis.  l*^ow  this  definition, 
which  has  been  neglected  by  all  writers,  is  the  only 
way  of  duly  appreciating,  judging,  reconciling  the 
diflferent  opinions  successively  advanced  on  this  sub- 
ject. By  the  term  syphilis  therefore,  is  to  be  under- 
stood, 

First.  A  general  affection  of  the  system,  which 
presents  itself  under  a  most  frightful  aspect,  with 
many  particular  modifications,  assuming  a  real  epi- 
demical character.  In  this  sense  the  word  desio^nates 
the  disease  whicli  bi-oke  out  towards  the  end  of  tiie 
fifteenth  century. 

Second.    It  may  serve  to  express  morbid  symptoms 


256  SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Disease  known  from  the  Remotest  Antiquity. 

arising  from  an  intercourse  with  a  disordered  person, 
communicated  in  the  same  way  to  other  individuals, 
and  having  with  each  other  a  more  or  less  intimate 
connection. 

Now,  if  we  use  the  word  syphilis  in  this  last  sense, 
it  can  be  incontestably  proved,  that  from  the  remotest 
antiquity  the  diseases  which  it  designates  were  known." 

He  then  proceeds  to  prove  his  above  statement  with 
a  "master  hand,"  and  mentions  among  others  who 
have  noted  the  disease,  Guy  de  Chauliac. .  Peter  Ar- 
gelata  says  that  pustules  arise  on  the  penis  ex  materia 
"  venenosa  quae  retinetur  et  remanet  inter praejputl- 
uni  et  pellem  cutis  ex  actione  viri  cum  faeda  uin- 
lierey  In  the  thirteenth  century,  Lanfranc,  Solict 
and  others,  spoke  of  the  same  disease  in  terms  which 
prove  how  far  they  consider  it  worthy   of  attention. 

There  have  been  also  many  passages  collected  by 
Becket  from  manuscripts  which  make  mention  of  it. 
What  likewise  proves  that  the  diseases  of  the  period 
were  considered  of  a  serious  and  formidable  character 
is,  that  the  authorities  in  order  to  prevent  their  propa- 
gation, enacted  severe  laws,the  penalties  for  the  viola- 
tion of  which  were  rigidly  exacted.  Hence  the  regu- 
lations for  the  Houses  of  Pleasure  in  London,  in  the 
years  1162  and  1430. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  257 

Regulated  Houses  of  Pleasure. 

Similar  establishments  and  regulations  existed  in 
most  of  the  large  cities  of  Europe  from  the  time  oi 
Charlemagne. 

Medical  and  historical  writers  make  mention  of  dis- 
eases contracted  at  such  houses,  called  clajy'iers. 
Jourdan  quotes  many  authorities  in  favor  of  the  af- 
fection having  been  noticed  and  mentioned  bj  wri . 
tersat  a  very  early  date,  but  it  is  unnecessary  that  they 
should  be  named  here.  He  is  also  of  the  opinion  that 
the  terrible  epidemic  which  prevailed  about  the  close 
of  the  fifteenth  century  originated  with  the  marranes 
(hogs).  This  term  was  applied  to  those  Moors  and 
Jews  who  had  entirely  disregarded  the  teachings  of 
Christianit}^  and  refused  to  enlist  under  its  banner; 
for  this  offense  they  were  expelled  from  Spain  by  an 
edict  of  King  Ferdinand,  dated  March,  1492. 

The  persecutions  were  unremitting,  and  the  tor- 
tures, to  avoid  which  they  concealed  their  belief,  but 
secretly  praticed  those  rules  that  were  prescribed  by 
their  religion.  They  are  described  as  living  in  the 
most  disgusting  and  loathsome  manner,  and  leprosy 
among  them  was  alleged  to  be  common. 

They  were  driven  from  their  homes,  not  allowed  to 
carry  with  them  anj'^  of  tlieir  property,  and  very  many 
17 


258  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Terrible  Contagion— 30,000  Families  Destroyed. 

of  them  retired  to  the  northern  coasts  of  Africa,  where 
thej  propa;^ated  a  disease  so  teiTiblv  contagious  that 
of  170,000  families  Avho  crossed  to  Africa  30,000  were 
destroyed.  Jourdan  says:  "When  we  compare  the  tes- 
timonies of  the  most  veridical  historians  and  physi- 
cians, we  think  it  impossible  to  doubt  its  being  de- 
rived from  the  Murranes,  who  were  expelled  from 
Spain  before  the  discovery  of  America."  Fulgasi, 
among  others,  tells  us  that  it  originated  in  Ethiopia. 
At  that  time  all  the  parts  of  Spain  occupied  by  the 
Moors  were  called  Africa,  and  afterwards  Ethiopia. 

The  period  of  its  appearance  exactly  corresponds 
to  that  of  the  expulsion  of  the  Marranes.  Fulgasi. 
announces  its  existence  in  Lombard^'  as  early  as  1492. 
We  find  it  among  tlie  Germans  in  1-193  and  1491: 
John  Pomarus  says  it  appeared  in  Saxonj'  in  1493. 
Henry  Bemsting  affirms  the  same  thing  for  Bruns 
wick  and  Lunenburgh.  According  to  John  Scipho- 
ver,  it  broke  out  in  1494  in  Westphalia,  from  whence 
it  soon  spread  from  the  coasts  of  the  Baltic  Sea  to 
Pomerania  and  Prussia  ;  and,  as  mentioned  by  Lin- 
turius,  it  manifested  itself  in  1494  on  the  borders  of 
the  Rhine,  in  Luabia,  Franconia  and  Bavaria.  Now, 
the  expulsion  of  the  Marranes  dates    from  the   year 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  259 

Spreading  of  the  Disease  all  over  Europe. 

1492.  These  unfortunate  wretches  who  left  Spain,  ac- 
cording to  Fabricius,  to  the  number  of  124,000  fami- 
lies, or  over  170,000,  as  mentioned  bj  Mariana,  lost, 
according  to  tlie  same  Fabricius  and  Mariana,  30,000 
families,  of  a  most  fatal  epidemic,  which  appeared  to 
be  of  a  peculiar  nature.  The  disease  not  merely  spread 
to  Rome,  as  mentioned  bj  Infessura  but  also  in- 
fected Naples,  according  to  Zureta  and  Collenuccio, 
and  even  was  propagated  to  the  coasts  of  Barbarj. 
Leo,  the  African,  says  that  the  disease,  anterior  to  the 
landing  of  theMarranes,  was  unknown  in  Africa.  Paul 
Jovins  attributes  also  the  extension  of  the  disease  to 
these  exiles.  Finally,  some  passages  from  Peter  Mar- 
tyr, Francis  de  Yellaloros,  and  Peter  Pinctor,  which, 
owing  to  their  want  of  clearness,  have  been  refuted  by 
the  partisans  of  the  American  origin,  seem  to  indicate 
that  the  epidemic  clearly  existed  in  Spain  during  the 
last  twenty  years  of  the  fifteenth  century,  consequent- 
ly before  1490.  It  is  not  surprising  that  such  con- 
.siderable  collections  of  people,  whom  the  avarice  of 
Ferdinand  had  deprived  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life, 
and  consequently  thrown  into  the  most  disgusting 
filth,  the  inseparable  attendant  on  misery,  should  have 
spread  wherever  they  passed  a  contagious,  cutaneous 


260  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

People  Living  in  the  most  Disgusting  Filth. 

disease,  complicated  with  scorbutic  symptoms,  which 
were  necessarily  produced  by  the  dampness  and  the 
the  excessive  heat  of  the  weather.  This  is  the  idea 
we  naturally  form  of  the  terrible  epidemic  of  the  fif- 
teenth century. 

The  epidemic  thus  spread  over  all  portions  of  Eu- 
rope, la  Germany  the  propagation  of  the  disease 
was  principally  attributed  to  the  Lansquenets,  a  mil- 
itary rabble,  who  were  constantly  ready  to  sell  their 
lives  and  blood  to  the  highest  bidder. 

In  the  latter  end  of  the  fifteenth  century,  the  whole 
of  Europe  being  engaged  in  war,  the  disease  once 
propagated  among  the  common  soldiers,  readily  spread 
over  the  whole  continent. 

A  similar  confusion  prevailed  in  regard  to  the  mode 
in  which  the  disease  was  propagated.  It  was  believed 
hy  many  that  the  virus  could  be  carried  in  the  atmos- 
phere, or  that  any  article  which  a  person  aflclicted  with 
the  disease  had  touched,  was  capable  of  imparting  the 
disorder.  Fallopias  supposed  that  the  disease  might 
be  propagated  by  the  holy  water,  into  which  a  syph- 
ilitic patient  had  dipped  his  finger. 

In  the  year  1556,  Fernel  proved  that  the  disease 
originated  from  a  specific  cause,  emanating  from  some 


SECRET    SIKS  OF   SOCIETY.  261 

The  Vims  Carried  in  the  Atmoaphere. 

affected  individual,  and  acting  upon  one  in  health; 
lie  opposed  the  idea  of  transmission  of  the  virus  by 
the  atmosphere,  and  denied  the  belief  in  cosmic 
or  astrological  influences;  he  also  described  with 
tolerable  accuracy  its  mode  of  transmission.  After  a 
lapse  of  three  hundred  years,  Fernel's  picture  of  the 
syphilitic  disease  is  still  true,  as  is  shown  by  the  de- 
scriptions of  the  most  enlightened  and  learned  phy- 
sicians  of  the  present  day. 


262  SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Life's  Great  Destroyer. 


PAET  XIX. 

SUPPRESSION  OF  SYPHILIS. 

rpHE  subject  of  the  suppression  of  syphilis  may  seem 
to  some,  who  perhaps  have  only  given  it  a  cursory 
consideration,  to  be  reductio  ad  ahsurdum,'  but  upon 
a  more  mature  deliberation,  we  can  but  hope  all  will 
join  us  in  wondering  why  the  subject  has  not  had  a 
Murphy,  or  a  Moody,  or  an  IngersoU,  or  a  Parnell,  or 
some  other  great  champion,  to  sound  the  battle-cry 
against  this  great  destroyer — venereal  contagion.  Phy- 
sicians have  lent  their  influence  in  legislative  affairs, 
and  have  added  to  their  pockets  fat  and  frequent  fees 
by  appointments  in  social  evil  hospitals,  and  as  phy- 
sicians in  charge  of  assignation  prostitutes.  The  pre 
tense  of  doing  good  was  quite  sufiicient  to  mask  their 
aim  at  getting  cash  from  the  female  portion  of  the 
social-evil  constituents,  and  it  was  not  desirable  to  re- 
strict the  masculine  division,  or  the  highly  profitable 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  2G3 

The  Great  Need  of  Restraint. 

business  might  be  markedly  diminished;  and  men  in 
high  standing,  who  are  now  covered  by  legal  gauze, 
would  be  exposed  and  dishonored.  If  "  ignorance  is 
bliss,"  etc.,  the  zealous  divine  in  his  honest  will  at 
doing  good,  and  the  industrious  Murphy  in  his  most 
excellent  labors  at  weaning  the  drunkard  from  his 
grog,  are  working  in  no  more  deserving  and  honorable 
cause  than  is  he  who  would  battle  against  and  mark 
out  a  barrier  to  syphilitic  contagion. 

The  extent  that  restraint  or  the  degree  of  suppres- 
eion  may  be  brought  about;  the  measures  based  up- 
on mature  reflection  is  yet  to  appear;  but  there  is  need 
of  restraint,  and  that  measures  looking  to  such  an 
end  are  possible,  is  in  our  mind  the  farthest  from 
doubt.  When  laws  become  possible  that  deal  with 
males  and  females  upon  the  basis  of  equality,  then  wc 
may  hope.  But  so  long  as  it  is  only  talked  and  prac- 
ticed that  females  shall  be  submitted  to  a  registrative 
maculation,  it  need  not  be  considered  possible  for  hu- 
mianity  to  escape  the  social  monster. 

Enactments  of  unusual  stringency  must  necessari- 
ly be  made  before  our  people  shall  be  safe,  even  in  the 
most  pious  realms  of  our  society.  The  people  of  our 
country  through  their  religious  principles,  are  now  in 


264:  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Venereal    Contagion — Restricting  all  Participants. 

their    supposed     efforts    at   doing    good,    militating 
against  the   interest   of  their   own  posterity.     Thej 
hold  their  hands  nplifted  in  horror  at  the  thought  of 
legalizing  prostitution,  or  passing   any  laws  pertain- 
ing to  registration   and   inspection.     They   must   be 
taught  by  the  physician  that  such  a  law  is  not  intend- 
ed to  favor  vice  and  crime,  but   to  rob    them  of  their 
lasting  results.     As  prostitution  has  existed  since  the 
days  of  Rahab,  it  will  probably  exist  in  spite  of  laws 
and  priests;  but  good  people  should  join  to  deprive  it 
of  its  dire  sequelae  and  lasting  curse — venereal  conta- 
gion.    In  this  conflict,  for   such  it  is,  we  meet  two 
classes  of  active  opponents  ;  first,    the  conscientious 
people,  who  are  acquainted   only  with  the  cause,  and 
therefore    cannot  consider    the    effects;    second,  the 
participants  of  the  social-evil.     As  it  must  be  admit- 
ted that  prostitution  cannot  be   wiped  out,  we  must 
accept   the  situation,  and  if  possible,  induce  legisla- 
tive restraint  over  its  evil  consequences.     We  can  see 
no  better  plan  of  extending  the  law   around  this  class 
of  human  beings,  than  by   licensing   and  thereby  re- 
stricting all  participants,  male  and  female,  who  de- 
sire to  use   i.'licitly  the  means  by  which  syphilis  is 
propagated. 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  205 

Our  Future  Needs— Posterity  the  ones  that  Suffer. 

The  first  action  looking  to  such  legislative  meas- 
ures must  be  directed  toward  convincino:  Christain 
people,  that  any  method  checking  the  results  of  vice 
is  not  so  dire  a  sin  as  the  silent  submission  to  the  vice 
itself.  "We  are  sorry  to  admit  that  it  is  an  open  ques- 
tion as  to  how  we  can  best  restrain  vice  and  its  evils 
by  statute  law^s;  but  the  results  of  this  vice  should 
be  submitted  in  a  forcible  style  to  the  people,  advoca- 
ted by  medical  men  and  teachers  of  science.  We 
are  not  so  selfish  that  we  would  have  our  personal 
views,  which  are  expressed  in  these  pages,  placed  in 
advance,  unless  such  views  should  appear  to  be  the  all- 
sufficient  skeleton  for  the  future  needs  of  whatever 
may  be  required. 

Syphilis  is  a  disease  that  comes  principally  to  the 
notice  of  the  physician.  If  it  should  be  his  fixed  du- 
ty to  report  every  case  to  a  public  registrar,  or  board 
of  health,  as  is  the  case  in  all  large  cities  with  other 
contagious  diseases,  the  records  would  show  the  de- 
gree of  contamination,  or  purity  of  our  people,  after 
a  period  of  a  few  generations.  It  will  be  said,  we  are 
aware,  this  would  be  disclosing  our  secrets !  It  is 
our  custom  to  protect  the  secrets  of  our  patients. 
But  we  ask,  if  it  should  be  the  physician's  solemn 


266  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

No  taking  Chances— Ordinance  of  St.  Louis. 

duty  to  secrete  the  shame  of  one  man  and  permit  his 
posterity     to  suffer  from  contagious  disease,   or  for 

^  the  great  public  good,  should  the  plij'siciaii  be  com- 
pelled to  make  common  this  knowledge,  offering  the 

'greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number  ?  We  shall  not 
attempt  to  solve  these  questions,  but  have  simply 
propounded  them  that  they  may  be  considered  at 
leisure. 

Again,  if  we  possessed  such  public  records,  and 
these  records  were  open  for  inspection  for  every  inter- 
ested person — every  one  contemplating  marriage — 
much  deception  and  misery  might  be  avoided. 

The  fear  of  being  placed  on  record  would  make 
both  male  and  female  careful  beyond  the  probability 
of  taking  chances;  and  might  we  not  hope  to  dimin- 
ish contagion  and  protect  so-called  decent  society? 

The  ordinances  of  St.  Louis  during  the  social-evil 
days,  were  of  more  than  ordinary  importance.  When 
females  were  in  a  diseased  condition  they  were  taken 
to  the  social  evil  hospital,  or  submitted  to  the  care  of 
the  house  physician.  The  ordinance  was  in  many  re- 
spects a  good  one;  but  the  so-called  "good  people" 
of  that  city  regarded  it  as  a  greater  evil  than  prostitu- 
tion with  all  its  consequences.     They  employed  their 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  267 

Registering  Participants  in  the  Social  Evil. 

united  influence  to  procure  its  repeal,  and  were  suc- 
cessful. Some  statistics  in  regard  to  the  reported 
results  of  social-evil  laws  cannot  be  out  of  place.  The 
St.  Louis  records  are  of  little  value  from  the  short 
period  of  time  the  measure  was  in  force.  The  re- 
corded facts  obtained  from  the  "  Blue  Booh  "  of  the 
Koyal  Commission  may  be  taken,  as  far  as  data  is  re- 
corded, as  exhibiting  the  results  generally  observed 
under  the  legislative  acts  of  other  places. 

It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  all  figures 
are  based  upon  a  restriction  of  only  one-half  of  the 
participants  in  the  social  evil ;  women  only  were  reg- 
istered and  inspected.  Men  were  simply  inspected 
where  they  applied  for  treatment,  after  contagion  had 
taken  place;  but  they  were  not  prevented  from  re- 
turning to  places  of  prostitution  and  spreading  it 
among  healthy  women.  "We  see  no  more  reason  for 
permitting  a  man  atifected  with  syphilis  to  have  his 
liberty  from  restriction  than  a  woman.  The  restric- 
tion of  males  would  be  quite  easily  enforced  in 
large  garrisons.  Morgan  writes  that  the  proportion  of 
the  male  population  that  suffers  from  general  diseases 
cannot  be  less  than  fifty  to  sixty  per  cent.  Again,  he 
writes  :     "  It  is  not  too   strong  a  statement  to  make, 


2G8  SECBET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 


The  Per  Cent.  Suffering  from  Contagious  DLseasea. 

that  amongst  the  lower  order  and  artisan  male  pop- 
ulation, sixty-five  to  eighty  per  cent,  suifer  from  the 
contagious  diseases  in  some  form;  and  that  in  the  so- 
cial scale,  while  the  percentage  of  soft  irritative  sores 
diminish,  gonorrhoea  and  infecting  syphilis  increase; 
but  I  doubt  if  the  percentage  even  then  of  those  wlu) 
suffer,  can  be  less  than  fifty  to  sixty  per  cent."  This 
statement  is  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  great  Bora- 
stead  and  writers  of  experience  throughout  this  coun- 
try. 

"In  three  months  there  were  treated  in  Dublin 
(Morgan)  four  hundred  and  eighty  cases  of  sj'philitic 
and  four  hundred  cases  of  gonorrhoea,  a  total  of  eight 
hundred  and  eighty  cases  out  of  ?  ffirrison  averaging 
four  thousand  three  hundred  and  seven  men;  so  that  in 
a  year,  at  the  same  ratio,  a  number  representing  the 
entire  garrison  would  have  been  under  treatment — a 
monstrous  state  of  things,  if  preventable,  when  it  is 
considered  in  how  many  of  these  instances  the  seeds  of 
ultimate  deterioration  would  fructify  almost  indef- 
initely; and  taking  the  soldier  at  the  estimate  cost  of 
JEIOO,  the  state  has  in  Dublin  £430,700  worth  of  its 
soldiers  diseased  in  twelve  months."  This  is  not  dif- 
ferent  from  the  state  of  affairs  in  our  late  war. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  269 

Extraordinary  Number  of  Syphilitic  Cases. 

"  In  Davenport  and  Plymouth,  where  from  the  first 
the  system  has  been  most  carefully  and  vigorously  ad- 
ministered, the  state  of  syphilitic  diseases  in  1864,  be- 
fore legislation,  showed  274  cases  out  of  2,481  strength; 
in  1865,  before  the  act  of  1864  had  made  any  im- 
pression, the  number  rose  to  342  cases;  in  1866,  when 
only  women  informed  against  or  strongly  suspected  of 
being  affected  with  contagious  disease,  were  brought  up 
for  examination,  the  number  fell  to  200.  In  1867,  where 
the  same  system  prevailed,  a  further  reduction  from 
209  to  185  was  reached.  In  1868,  under  the  monthly 
examination  for  the  latter  half  of  the  year,  the  figures 
were  reduced  from  185  to  159.  In  1869,  when  the 
fortnightly  examination  was  first  instituted,  the  figures 
rose  from  159  to  162,  and  in  the  following  year  were 
reduced  to  85,  or  nearly  one  half  The  strengtli  of 
the  garrison  was  nearly  the  same  throughout  these 
years." — {Morgan.)  Taking  the  aggregate  of  twenty- 
eight  stations  of  troops  in  the  United  Kingdom,  the  ratio 
per  one  thousand  of  primary  venereal  sores,  in  1865, 
was  120;  it  continued  to  diminish  until  1870,  when 
a  ratio  of  54  cases  only  was  marked  by  the  register. 
If  space  had  permitted,  we  would  have  prepared  a 
table  includins:  the  figures  of  results  under  the  statis- 


270  SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Corroborative  Facta  Presented. 

tics  in  Paris,  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis  and  other  cities; 
but  we  shall  simply  remark  that  such  figures  are  only 
corroborative  of  the  figures  presented  above,  in  a  com- 
mon showing  of  the  good  accomplished  in  all  large 
cities  where  the  act  has  existed.  It  is  not  pretended 
that  a  good  showing  could  be  made  in  a  year  or  a  de- 
cade, but  in  a  century  a  great  restraining  influence 
would  most  certainly  be  manifested  were  the  restric- 
tions based  upon  the  rules  of  justice  to  honest  people 
and  general  equality  with  both  sexes.  But  we  must 
leave  the  statistical  part  of  the  subject,  and  direct  at- 
tention to  some  of  the  remote  changes  of  syphilis.  We 
may  the  more  readily  see  the  necessity  of  some  extra- 
ordinary efibrt  to  procure  the  much  needed  legislation. 
It  is  against  these  that  we  most  need  to  exercise  our 
whole  energies.  These  remote  changes  are  so  much 
more  direful  than  those  of  the  primary  and  secondary 
disease,  because  they  are  generally  deep-seated  and 
masked. 

It  is  not  the  gangrenous  genitals  we  would  picture 
to  you;  neither  is  it  the  common  manifestations  that 
show  themselves  in  the  forms  of  secondary  outbreaks; 
such  as  ulceration  of  the  throat,  syphilitic  exanthe- 
mata, olopecea,  etc.     These  are  too  well  known.     Of 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETr.  271 

Secondary  Outbreaks  of  the  Disease. 

the  more  masked  forms  that  do  not  show  themselves 
until  a  tertiary  period,  when  our  patient  is  supposed 
to  be  "  cured;"  and  to  the  hereditary  features,  we  wish 
to  give  you  a  lair  and  truthful  picture.  Syphilis  as  a 
cause  of  many  nervous  diseases,  will  furnish  yon  area 
for  contemplation  of  no  small  dimensions.  An  exten- 
sive observation  and  much  reflection  compel  us  to  re- 
mark that  o.ne  half  of  the  organic  pathological  change 
in  nerve  structures  are  caused  immediately  or  remotely 
by  syphilis.  Our  space  is  too  limited  to  give  but  a 
cursory  glance  at  the  dangers  and  horrors  that  threaten 
our  posterity.  If  great  changes  are  not  effected  in 
customs,  habits  and  legislative  enactments  of  all 
nations,  the  people  will  certainly  be  greatly  endan- 
gered. 

The  utterly  loathsome  character  of  the  disease  has 
prevented  a  proper  consideration,  and  thereby  the  en- 
acting laws  to  prevent  its  spread.  Public  authorities 
quarantine  against  the  maladies  much  less  offensive, 
and  people  submit.  But  this  is  a  contagious  disease 
of  a  most  virulent  characier;  yet  it  has  not  received 
the  attention  from  public  authorities  and  boards  of 
health  which  would  indicate  it  to  be  a  disease  of  a 
contagious  variety. 


272  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY, 

Compared  with  other  Contagious  Diseases. 

"Why  should  it  be  necessary  to  report  a  case  of  yel- 
low fever  or  diphtheria  to  our  health  departments,  or 
establish  quarantine  af^ainst  yellow  fever  more  than 
syphilis?  "Why  submit  a  patient  suffering  from  a 
contagious  disease,  or  one  that  comes  to  him  in  en- 
demic or  epidemic  form,  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  to 
quarantine  rules  and  isolation,  and  permit  the  disease 
that  never  seeks  a  victim,  and  the  patient  that  has 
gone  where  the  disease  existed — a  voluntary  exposure 
— to  go  free  and  unrestrained,  with  a  liberty  to  carry 
the  disease  to  innocent  and  unsuspecting  parties  with- 
out comment? 

The  subject  must  go  where  syphilis  is,  or  he  will 
not  likely  become  its  victim.  It  is  not  so  with  other 
contagious  diseases.  The  subject  of  contagion  in  such 
cases  has  no  choice.  Innocent  persons  are  made  the 
victims  of  syphilitic  contagion.  It  is  a  grievance 
worth}'  of  the  strongest  execration  that  profound  si- 
lence compels  chaste  wives  unknowingly  to  undergo 
exposure  to  this  contagion;  where,  if  every  victim  of 
the  disease  was  registered,  she  could  search  his  blood- 
history  in  the  public  archives.  Under  such  a  restraint 
every  such  a  man  would  become  cautious,  and  post- 
matrimonial  contagion  would  be  rare.    Such  an  enact- 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  273 

How  the  Syphilitic  may  pass  for  a  Gentleman. 

nient  should  not  be  made  to  expose  the  victims  of 
post-contagion,  but  put  into  effect  at  a  future  date, 
when  every  man  and  woman  had  been  duly  warned 
of  tlie  penalty  for  vice.  Then  no  man  or  woman 
would  submit  to  sexual  embraces  without  exchai"iging 
health-certificates,  if  either  had  a  reputation  to  lose. 
Syphilis  and  inebriety  should  be  regarded  by  all  good 
citizens  as  "twin-relics,"  and  no  greater  advocates  are 
demanded  to  oppose  the  latter  than  the  former.  Both 
are  sapping  health  and  loveliness  in  our  best  circles 
of  societ}'.  The  masses  know  of  the  evils  of  inebriety ; 
its  worst  features  are  superficial;  but  the  physician 
only  knows  of  the  misery  and  suffering  caused  hy 
syphilis.  It  lurks  concealed,  and  preys  upon  unsus- 
pecting innocence.  Inebriety  often  sliows  its  worst 
features,  and  the  culpable  individual  is  branded  an 
outcast,  and  neither  respected  nor  trusted;  but  the 
syphilitic  may  pass  for  a  gentleman  of  noble  blood, 
and  be-  sought  as  a  husband  for  the  daughters  of  pure 
and  noble  families.  He  ia  permitted  entrance  by 
wedlock  into  the  bosoms  of  families,  and  to  introduce 
the  bitter  sequences  by  rotten  offspring  into  his  own 
house. 

How  would   a   young   mother   feel,    when    she   is 
18 


274  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Its  Immediate  Victims  not  the  only  Sufferers. 

losing  her  infant  offspring  in  their  tender  weeks,  and 
she  listens  to  the  kind  clergy's  gentle  remarks  : 
"  The  good  God  has  seen  fit  in  his  all-wise  provi- 
dence to  remove  yonr  infant,  etc.,"  if  she  had  but 
known  that  the  fell  destroyer  Syphilis  had  done  the 
Avork,  and  that  her  kind  and  loving  husband  had  been 
the  author  of  all  these  frequent  causes  to  mourn  ! 
Could  this  mother  but  know  the  doctor's  secrets  ! 
Could  she  have  had  access  to  public  archives  !  Had 
she  not  been  clouded  by  this  profound  silence,  she 
would  not  think  the  good  God  so  unkind  in  His  ad- 
ministrations. We  are  not  aiming  to  overdraw  this 
picture,  nor  can  we  represent  this  cursed  evil  as  it  is 
observed  by  the  physician  for  himself.  This  great 
evil  has  no  public  opponent.  There  is  no  one  to  pro- 
claim from  the  pulpit  or  the  platform  a  crusade 
against  this  dire  enemy.  Physicians  talk  of  public 
liygiene,  public  health,  etc.  They  come  to  societies 
and  cursorily  discuss  symptomatology  and  treat- 
ment. But  who  says  anything  about  arresting  its 
progress  ?  Who  says  anything  about  quarantining 
against  this  social  evil  ?  In  syphilis  the  immediate 
victim  is  not  the  last  or  onl}'  sufferer.  "  The  sins  of 
the  father  are  visited  upon  the  children  to  the  third 


SECKKT    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  JiO 

No  Class  of  Society  is  Exempt. 

and  fourth  generation,"  contaminating  mind  and 
body  and  making  life  a  curse.  It  has  been  said  that 
the  effects  are  observed  in  the  fourth  generation  in 
the  form  of  tuberculosis,  scrofula,  diseases  of  the  brain 
and  mind,  hydrocephalus,  glandular  diseases,  idiocy 
and  insanity.  If  we  could  have  true  reports,  skowing 
exact  fio^ures  from  which  to  arranj^e  a  statistical  ta- 
ble  of  mortality  of  children,  we  would  certainly  be 
stricken  with  horror  and  alarm.  An  infant  inarticu- 
lo  mortis  from  congenital  syphilis,  is  an  occurrence 
so  frequent,  especially  in  our  large  cities,  as  to  evoke 
little  attention. 

The  lower  classes  are  sometimes  truly  registered  a3 
to  the  cause  of  deaths,  where  they  die  of  syphilis.  But 
who  would  brand  a  person  of  social  and  financial  in- 
fluence with  such  a  stigma  ?  Then  if  the  doctor's  bill 
s  forthcoming,  it  is  easy  to  write  the  cause  of  death 
"eczema  or  congestion."  It  is  often  impossible,  at 
the  present,  for  a  physician  to  state  the  true  cause  of 
death  in  plain  language  on  a  burial  certificate.  T  .tu 
it  will  readily  appear  to  you  how  impossible  it  is  to 
obtain  anything  like  correct  figures  for  a  statistical 
report;  but  we  know  that  such  a  report,  based  upon 
the  true  state  of  affairs,  would  show  up  surprisingly. 


276  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Unfortunates  of  the  Social  World. 

'No  class  of  society  is  exempt  from  this  curse,  as  every 
physician  of  experience  can  testify.  Station,  ednca- 
tiou  and  wealth,  form  no  barrier  to  this  monster.  Vice 
has  its  votaries,  without  regard  to  station.  A  victim 
may  prolong  liis  life  by  his  wealth,  but  our  population 
of  the  diddle  class,  as  a  rule,  are  freest  from  the  taint. 
Their  bodies  are  not  subject  to  over-feeding,  therefore 
the  disease  seldom  causes  so  great  a  general  breaking 
down  of  tissues  as  in  the  case  of  the  wealthy,  who 
have  been  "stall-fed,"  as  it  were,  by  highly  seasoned 
food.  The  poorer  classes,  by  reason  of  the  greater 
number  of  their  offspring  as  compared  with  the  num- 
ber of  children  begotten  by  wealthy  parents,  when 
they  are  contaminated,  give  the  disease  a  wider  dif- 
fusion. The  disease  soon  breaks  down  the  constitu- 
tion of  poorly-fed  children,  and  hurries  them  to  an 
early  grave.  In  the  extremes  of  the  social  world  are 
the  unfortunates  who  suffer  more  physically;  those 
of  the  middle  classes  are  freest  from  vice,  and  there- 
fore most  exempt  from  venereal  contagion.  But  it 
cannot  be  said  that  any  class  is  even  comparatively 
free  from  this  dire  scourge. 

In  reference  to  the  very  poor  classes,  it  has  been 
said  that  they  suffer  more  personally  from  want  of 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  277 

A  Period  of  Physical  Deterioration. 

care  or  necessaries  of  life,  and  their  cliiklren  seldom 
live  to  become  parents,  which  is  not  true  of  the 
wealth}",  who  have  every  me^ns  to  procure  medical 
skill,  and  thereby  prolongation  of  life.  They  live  to 
become  parents  of  a  devitilized  offspring,  on  and  on. 
These,  by  medical  aid,  good  food,  plenty  of  fresh  air, 
favorable  surroundings,  live  on,  and  beget  feeble 
children;  and  so  on  for  three  or  four  generations/ 

Occasionally,  the  family  name  becomes  extinct. 
Yet  by  all  kinds  of  favorable  surroundings  and  in- 
termarriages with  individuals  of  pure  blood,  a  few  of 
the  posterity  survive.  If  no  new  contagion  has  been 
introduced,  an  improvement  is  observed  and  the  up- 
ward tendency  is  rapid,  until  a  normal  physical  being 
is  before  us.  Thus  in  accordance  with  the  law  called 
"  survival  of  the  fittest,"  we  see  them  daily  advancing 
to  a  position  or  sphere,  in  which  they  flourished  gen- 
erations before,  but  were  compelled  to  pass  through 
a  dark  period  of  physical  deterioration,  visited  upon 
them  as  a   penalty  for  the  sins  of  their  parents. 

Every  physician  conversant  with  the  sequelae  of 
syphilis,  has  observed  patients,  who  in  early  manhood 
had  gone  through  a  course  of  treatment  for  this  dis- 
ease (and  cured);  all  svmptomshad  long   since  passc;<l 


278  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Leading  Features  of  Syphilis. 

away;  every  sign  of  the  disease  had  disappeared  in 
course  time;  nothing  had  been  suspected  for  five,  ten, 
fifteen,  twenty  or  twenty -five  years,  when  a  sensation 
of  weakness  appears  upon  one  side  of  the  body  and 
limbs,  the  face  may  be  drawn  to  one  side,  tingling  in 
the  paretic  hand  and  foot,  going  on  to  a  complete 
paralj'^sis  of  one  side.  Again,  an  epileptiform  convul- 
sion may  mask  the  onset  of  the  S3nTiptoms,  followed 
by  ptosis,  and  paresis  of  some  of  the  ocular  muscles. 
How  many  have  joint  troubles  that  are  often  ascribed 
to  rheumatism,  or  he  may  suffer  intense  head- 
pain  which  is  relieved  by  large  doses  of  iodide  of  po- 
tassium. 

AVe  have  now  marked  out  some  of  the  leading  fea- 
tures of  nervous  syphilis.  They  are  common  in  city 
practice. 

It  is  admitted  that  only  within  the  last  decade  has 
there  existed  anything  like  a  careful  knowledge  of  these 
features  of  syphilis.  Since  these  recent  discoveries  in 
nerve  pathology,  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  this 
acquired  diothesis  may  be  handed  down  in  this  imme- 
diate state  to  the  offspring.  It  is  now  beyond  a 
doubt  admitted  that  tlie  disease  may  be  transmitted 
in  its  immediate  stage,  if  not   immediate   condition, 


«  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  279 

Various  Cures— No  Time  that  we  are  Safe. 

and  tliat  it  by  no  means  follows  that  it  must  appear  in 
a  perfect  symptom,  picture  of  progress;  but  that  any 
of  the  diverse  forms  may  follow  a  congenital  trans- 
mission. Says  the  most  excellent  pathologist,  M. 
Paget:  "We  know  tliat  certain  diseases  of  the  lungs, 
the  liver  and  spleen,  are  all  of  a  syphilitic  origin, 
and  the  mortality  of  syphilis,  in  its  latter  forms  is 
every  year  found  to  be  larger  and  larger,  by  its 
being  found  to  be  a  source  of  a  number  of  dis- 
eases which  previously  were  referred  to  other  origins 
and  accidents,  or  put  down  under  various  heads  they 
did  not  belong  to."  Such  language,  coming  from  so 
eminent  a  physician,  should  be  received  with  great 
confidence. 

We  would  be  glad  to  refer  in  extenso  to  the  experi- 
ence of  many  of  our  trustworthy  physicians,  but  our 
space  only  permits  of  cursory  mention.  We  have 
treated  many  cases  that  had  contracted  the  disease 
twenty  and  thirty  years  before;  patients  who  had  long 
thought  themselves  well,  but  in  whom  there  appeared 
unmistakable  signs  of  the  original  disease  in  its  ter- 
tiary forms.  Dr.  Melbrey  Green,  informs  us  of  a 
case  under  his  own  observation,  transmitting  the  dis- 
ease after  thirty -five  years.     We  firmly  believe  there 


2S0  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  ' 

Relapse  Liable  to  Occur  at  any  Time. 

is  no  time  beyond  wliich  we  are  safe  in  declaring  im- 
munity to  transmission,  and  no  case,  no  matter  how 
well  treated,  that  we  can  absolutelj  pronounce  free 
Ironi  the  disorder. 

We  are  willing  to  admit  that  many  cases  get  well, 
and  that  the  tendency  is  for  nature  to  cure  the  disease; 
but  we  have  no  positive  assurance  that  she  has  per- 
formed lier  work  in  any  given  case  so  completely  that 
a  relapse  may  not  occur  at  some  distant  period  in  the 
future.  This  is  not  a  question  based  upon  the  treat- 
ment of  any  individual  physician,  or  how  successful 
our  general  treatment  can  be  made;  neither  are  a  few 
individual  successes  a  barrier  to  the  truth  of  the  above 
statement.  '  The  statement  is  based  upon  how  suc- 
cessful generally  the  treatment  has  been  and  even 
now  is.  We  are  aware  that  this  is  a  very  delicate 
question.  Some  ma}'  say  it  is  too  delicate  to  bring 
to  the  masses;  but  should  any  vice  or  evil  be  consid- 
ered too  delicate  to  name  which  is  in  perpetual  activi- 
ty, contaminating  the  blood  and  destroying  the  life  of 
so  many? 

Do  people  generally  feel  fastidious  in  regard  to 
warnings  against  foul  monsters,  that  may  at  an  un- 
expected time   devour   them  by  degrees?    If  it  is  too 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  281 

Its  Dangers— Legal  Restrictions. 

delicate  a  subject  for  open  dissussion,  it  cannot  be  too 
delicate  to  bring  before  a  body  of  scientific  gentlemen, 
who  certainly  htive  the  best  interests  of  the  people  at 
heart. 

With  such  an  aim  we  do  not  feel  so  great  a  delicacy 
in  presenting  a  picture  of  facts  to  tlie  view.  There  is 
no  vice,  it  matters  not  how  vile,  that  should  not  be 
named.  To  promote  life,  health,  physical  and  mental 
beatitudes,  should  be  the  physician's  strongest  desire. 
To  restrain  the  progress  of  contagion  the  people  must 
first  be  enlightened  in  regard  to  its  dangers.  No 
"Maine  Law"  could  have  passed  for  the  restraint  of 
inebriety,  as  it  has  throughout  our  Eastern  States,  had 
it  not  been  through  the  enlightenment  of  the  public. 

Likewise,  the  only  legislation  possible  must  be 
secured  by  a  thorough  enlightenment  of  the  people  in 
regard  to  the  evils  of  syphilis. 

In  any  legal  restrictions  pertaining  to  this  vice,  so 
long  as  the  law  deals  with  women  alone,  and  not  with 
men  who  frequent  houses  of  prostitution,  the  progress 
will  be  slow.  Legal  cognizance  should  be  taken  of 
men  who  frequent  these  places,  if  we  would  have 
these  afiairs  brought  within  the  possibility  of  active 
restraint.     It  is  perhaps  necessary  for  those  only  to 


2S2  SECRET    SIKS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Houses  of  Prostitution— Regulaling  the  Inmates. 

register  who  traffic  in  this  sphere  to  obtain  filthj 
lucre.  Then  the  registration  previous  to  contagion 
would  only  be  necessary  for  managers  and  inmates  of 
'.ouses  of  prostitution.  The  keeper  should  be  com- 
pelled to  register,  and  it  should  be  her  dnty  to  see  that 
her  inmates  were  registered;  and  that  all  males  visit- 
ing such  places  should  be  i-equired  to  exhibit  a  certifi- 
cate of  recent  date  showing  their  freedom  from  con- 
tagious disease.  This  involves  no  exposure,  and 
could  be  made  a  protection  against  carrying  contagion 
to  houses  of  prostitution;  every  keeper  would  be  glad 
to  put  in  force  such  measure,  as  it  would  result  in 
general  protection. 

As  matters  now  exist,  even  under  the  best  regulated 
houses  of  prostitution,  men  frequently  take  syphilis, 
and  communicate  it  to  their  wives;  and  many  times 
prostitutes  contract  the  disease  from  the  men  who 
consort  with  them  at  assignation  houses,  and  else- 
where. Men  who  contract  small  pox  are  insolated, 
not  only  during  the  course  of  the  disease,  but  until 
all  danger  is  passed.  A  man  may  have  recovered 
from  small  pox  and  feel  strong  and  well,  and  be  as 
able  to  go  into  the  streets  as  he  was  before  he  con- 
tracted the  disease,  but  if  he  go  into  the  street  before 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  283 

The  Demands  of  Public  Opinion. 

he  is  free  from  all  dano;et'  of  communicating  the  dis- 
ease  to  others,  he  will  be  arrested  and  confined.     lie 

• 

might  think  his  rights  infringed  and  his  liberty  out- 
raged, but  the  community  would  think  it  just.  Public 
opinion  demands  that  all  regulations  in  regard  to 
small  pox  and  other  contagious  diseases  be  enforced, 
however  arbitrary  they  may  seem  to  the  victims  of 
contagion.  In  most  large  cities  physicians  are  re- 
quired under  penalty  to  furnish  the  boards  of  health 
a  report  of  all  contagious  diseases,  such  as  typhoid 
fever,  diphtheria,  scarlet  fever,  small  pox,  etc.,  as  soon 
as  the  diagnosis  is  made. 

The  personal  liberty  of  all  such  cases  is  interfered 
with  until  all  possibility  of  contagion  is  past.  Why 
is  syphilis  not  reported  with  other  contagious  diseases? 
No,  these  cases  go  at  large.  Men  with  cancers  on 
their  lips  go  into  society,  and  sometimes  b}'  eating 
with  the  same  spoon,  and  osculating,  sisters  are  con- 
taminated. "We  have  observed  many  such  cases.  A 
short  time  ago  a  most  respectable  widow  consulted  us 
for  a  troublesome  sore,  a  mucous  patch  upon  the  lip. 
We  traced  it  to  her  eating  of  sauce  out  of  the  same 
spoon  with  her  lover,  who  had  a  syphilitic  sore  upon 
his  lips.     He  had  been  treated  for  syphilis  five  years 


2Si  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

A  Sample  Case— Kestrictiug  Syphilitic  People. 

before,  and  supposed  himself  cured.  lie  bad  relapsed 
to  the  extent  of  patches  in  the  mouth  when  he  con- 
taminated this  woman;  and  she  suffered  from  well- 
marked  syphilitic  exantliamata.  They  were  married, 
and  she  has  suffered  from  other  secondary  signs, 
placing  the  matter  beyond  question.  We  are  waiting 
to  see  the  result  in  their  offspring. 

The  victim  of  syphilis  should  be  isolated,  or  in 
some  manner  restricted  from  associating  with  civil- 
ized people.  The  law  has  certainly  as  much  right  to 
interfere  with  the  personal  liberty  of  syphilitic  patients 
as  it  has  vrith  the  victims  of  yellow  fever  or  small 
pox.  We  think  it  will  not  be  denied  that  any  city 
has  the  right  to  establish  regulations  for  protection 
against  any  contagious  disease  ;  nor  that  any  city  may 
have  the  right  to  enforce  an  ordinance  compelling  men 
to  submit  to  examination  and  surveillance  if  they  wish 
to  consort  with  prostitutes  ;  as  much  the  right  to  en- 
force an  ordinance  compelling  the  surveillance  of  men, 
as  of  women  who  pursue  such  a  business  for  their 
bread.  If  we  had  such  measures  we  would  have  a 
double  check  on  venereal  contagion  in  public  prosti- 
tutes, as  well  as  among  men  who  receive  the  disease 
from  other  sources.     While  we  h  ive  made  many  sug- 


SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  285 

A  Double  Check  on  Venereal  Diseases. 

gestive  statements  that  may  at  first  seem  impractica- 
ble, yet  if  free  discussion  follows,  and  thereby  good  is 
accomplished,  we  shall  feel  amply  repaid  for  any  ad- 
verse criticism.  If  we  are  to  have  a  law  that  aims  at 
the  control  of  prostitution,  let  us  have  one  that  goes 
to  the  root  of  the  evil,  and  not  a  one-sided  afiair.  Or 
it  may  be  said  by  women,  that  so  long  as  men  do 
the  voting,  so  long  will  women  be  submitted  to  the 
unfairness  of  one-sided  laws  and  restraints.  Men 
should  not  impose  penalties  upon  women,  and  be 
themselves  participants  in  the  vices  for  which  these 
penalties  were  established. 

Such  a  method  of  treatment  is  inhuman  and  unjust. 
It  is  barbarous,  and  not  worthy  of  Christian  people. 
"We  cannot  condemn  others  with  any  good  grace  for 
crime  or  vice,  in  which  we  are  equal  participants.  "We 
should  first  judge  ourselves.  It  will  be  time  enough 
to  sit  in  judgment  when  we  are  faultless. 


286  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


The  Consequences  of  Masturbation. 


PABT  XX. 

SPERMATORRHCEA, 

QPERMATORRHCEA  is  the  consequences  of  mas- 
^  turbation,  the  apprehensions  of  spermatorrhoea 
RTid  loss  of  sexual  power,  form  a  highly  unpleasant 
subject,  which  has  become  still  more  disgusting,  as  af- 
fording a  field  for  the  practices  of  some  of  those  un- 
scrupulous and  degraded  characters  who  infest  society, 
or  who  falsely  assume  a  connection  with  the  medical 
profession.  These  men  make  money  out  of  the  fears 
of  unfortunate  youths,  some  of  whom  are  merely  ner- 
vous and  are  frightened  at  the  natural  emissions  by 
which  the  testicles  relieve  themselves  from  distention 
in  persons  who  are  not  in  the  habit  of  sexual  inter- 
course. 

The  majority  however  of  the  victims  of  such  fears 
are  conscious  of  having  indulged  either  in  solitary 
abuse  oi  in  "m moderate   sexual  intercourse.     A  judi- 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  287 

Nocturnal  Emission  no  Sign  of  the  Didease. 

cious  and  honorable  surgeon  cannot  be  better  em- 
ployed than  in  delivering  such  patients  from  the  con- 
sequences of  unfounded  apprehensions,  and  inculcating 
the  strength  of  mind,  of  manliness  necessary  to  give  up 
vicious  habits  which  have  once  been  contracted. 

In  a  work  of  this  kind  it  is  fortunately  unnecessary 
to  dwell  on  this  unsavory  subject.  The  symptoms  of 
this  affection  are  well  known.  The  disorder  is  easily 
recognized.  It  is  a  mistake  however  to  suppose  that 
because  a  younor  person  in  all  the  vigor  of  manhood, 
has  an  occasional  nocturnal  emission  that  the  above 
disease  exists.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  question  wliether  cer- 
tain emissions  of  semen  without  copulation  are  not 
necessary  to  the  preservation  of  virility. 

This  fact  is  not  sufficiently  understood,  and  young 
persons  having  had  an  emission  or  two  become 
alarmed,  apply  to  the  physician,  and  are  "put 
throuo;h"  a  most  disastrous  sur^j-ical  and  medical 
treatment. 

The  symptoms  are  emissions  of  semen;  first  occa- 
sionally, and  at  night  or  towards  morning,  gradually 
increasing,  until  they  recur  with  great  frequency. 

The  patient  does  not  feel  the  loss  at  first,  but  gradu- 
ally, as  the  frequency  of  the  pollutions  increases,  the 


288  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

How  the  Genital  Organs  will  Recover. 

symptoms  give  way;  there  is  depression  of  the  mental 
l>owers,  ringing  in  the  ears,  loss  of  strength,  emacia- 
tion, and  great  bodily  disturbance,  dyspepsia,  consti- 
pation or  diarrhoea,  and  flatulence,  until  finally  the 
mind  itself  shows  symptoms  of  decay. 

So  long  as  the  power  of  complete  erection  continues, 
and  the  patient  does  not  lose  semen  involuntarily  or 
unconsciously  (whicli  is  very  rare),  the  genital  organs 
will  recover  themselves  under  proper  treatment. 

Yery  frequently,  what  is  mistaken  for  spermator- 
rhoea is  some  slight  mucous  discharge,  the  result  of 
irritation  of  the  urethra.  Proper  treatment  however 
involves  as  its  most  essential  feature  the  renounce- 
ment of  the  habit  of  self-abuse,  and  either  abstinence 
or  only  moderate  indulgence  in  sexual  intercourse. 

If  the  patient  cannot  be  persuaded  to  put  this  re- 
straint on  himself,  he  deserves  the  ruin  that  will  fall 
on  him. 

With  this,  and  tonic  regimen,  an  active  exercise  of 
body  and  mind,  recovery  will  be  regular  and  perma- 
nent. Real  impotence  may  of  course  occur,  but  it  is 
very  rare. 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  289 


Origin  of  the  Disease— Who  are  Liable. 


PAKT  XXL 

GONORRHCEA. 

ryiHIS  disease  owes  its  origin  to  sexual  intercourse, 
and  is  almost  exclusively  a  local  disease,  yet  it  has 
constitutional  manifestations  also. 

The  disease  is  so  much  more  slight  in  women  that 
the  descriptions  of  it  are  always  taken  from  the  male 
sex. 

In  females  it  aifects  chiefly  the  vulva  and  vagina; 
rarely  the  urethra  or  bladder. 

It  is  difficult  or  impossible  to  distinguish  aggra- 
vated leucorrhoea  from  mild  forms  of  gonorrhoea;  nor 
is  it  of  much  importance,  since  doubtless  such  leu- 
corrhoea will  excite  gonorrhoea  in  the  male.  Prosti- 
tutes are  especially  liable  to  leucorrhoea,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  constant  excitement  of  the  generative 
organs;  but  the  certifying  surgeons  under  the  Con- 
tagious Diseases  Acts  only  think  it  necessary  to  se- 
19 


290  SECTET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

What  Gonorrhoea  Causes  in  the  Female. 

elude  those  in  whom  the  discharge  is  purulent. 
Tliere  is  a  foi-ni  of  purulent  discharge  from  the  vulva 
pretty  often  seen  in  young  children — the  leucorrhoea 
infantum — which  was  at  one  time  confounded  with 
gonorrhoea,  and  was  believed  to  be  due  to  impure  con- 
nection; but  this,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases,  is  an 
unfounded  suspicion.  In  some  cases  no  doubt  3'oung 
children  are  affected  with  ordinary  gonorrhoea,  but  in 
such  instances  marks  of  violence  about  the  vulva  will 
exist,  and  will  show  that  forcible  entrance  has  been 
attempted;  or  possibly,  if  the  case  be  seen  soon  after 
the  rape,  spermatozoa  may  be  discovered  in  the  vulva. 

Usually,  however,  this  discharge  originates  either 
from  dirt  or  from  some  cause  difficult  to  discover. 
Many  of  the  children  certainly  suffer  from  worms. 
Attention  to  the  general  health,  strict  cleanliness,  fre- 
quent washing  out  of  the  vagina,  and  the  use  of  a 
tent  steeped  in  some  astringent  lotion,  will  effect  a 
cure. 

Gonorrhoea  in  the  female  causes  acute  inflamma- 
tion of  the  vagina  and  vulva,  frequently  accompanied 
by  swelling  of  the  nymphje,  which  protrude  beyond 
the  labia.  The  discharge  is  sometimes  very  profuse, 
and  there  are  often  excoriations  in  various  parts  of 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  291 

Cases  Occasioned  by  Impure  Coitus. 

the  vagina;  the  labia  are  frequently  much  swollen. 
and  abscess  often  forms  there.  Hence  there  is  much 
pain  in  walking  and  in  ssxual  intercourse. 

The  acuter  attacks  of  gonorrhoea  are  painful,  but 
there  is  rarelj  any  scalding  in  micturition,  as  in  men. 

The  symptoms  vary  greatl}'  in  different  individuals. 

In  the  majority  of  instances  gonorrhoea  is  occa- 
sioned by  impure  coitus  ;  but  there  are  many  dis- 
charges from  the  urethra  which  are  occasioned  by 
copulation  with  menstruating  women,  or  those  hav- 
ing leucorrhoea,  or  some  acid  discharge  from  the  gen- 
itals. This  no  doubt  is  of  frequent  occurrence,  and 
should  be  remembered  by  the  physician  before  giving 
a  positive  diagnosis.  Nothing  is  more  common  than 
to  find  women  who  have  communicated  blennorrhoea. 
the  most  intense,  the  most  persistent,  the  most 
varied  and  of  the  gravest  character,  who  were  only 
affected  with  uterine  catarrhs,  which  sometimes  were 
scarcely  purulent. 

In  other  cases  the  menstrual  flux  seems  to  have 
been  the  only  cause  of  the  communicated  disease. 

Finally,  in  a  great  number  of  cases,  there  is  noth- 
ing at  all,  or  onlj^  simply  changes  in  diet  ;  fatigue  ; 
excesses  in  sexual  connection  ;  the  use  of  certain 
drinks — beer  ;  or  certain  food — asparagus. 


202  BECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Woman  Frequently  give  Gonorrhoea  without  having  it. 

From  this  arises  that  frequency  of  belief  on  the 
part  of  patients,  a  belief  very  often  legitimate,  that 
thej  owe  their  clap  to  a  perfectly  healthy  woman. 

On  this  point  is  most  assuredly  known  all  the 
causes  of  error,  and  all  should  be  on  their  guard 
against  frauds  of  every  kind,  scattered  in  the  path  of 
the  observer  ;  but  it  is  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
cause  that  we  advance  this  proposition  :  women  fre- 
quently give  gonorrhcsa  without  having  it.  We  do 
not  go  too  far  in  saying  that  women  give  twenty  claps 
for  one  they  receive.  Masturbation  is  also  another 
frequent  cause  of  urethrites  ;  the  passage  of  bougies  ; 
the  internal  administration  of  both  mercury  and 
cantharides  ;  worms  in  the  rectum,  and  other  causes. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  293 


Eftect  of  Former  bad  Habits. 


PART  XXII. 

THE  NATURAL  TIME  FOR  MARRIAGE. 

A  T  what  time  should  people  marry?  is  a  question 
^-*-  often  discussed,  but  seldom  satisfactorily  an- 
swered. There  is  a  natural  time  for  everything,  and 
the  natural  time  for  marriage  is  when  a  complete  love 
is  formed.  No  sickly,  puny,  puppy  love;  no  juve- 
nile and  tender  fancy,  but  a  deep,  strong,  healthy, 
manly  and  womanly  affection — and  when  this  love 
comes,  marry  at  once. 

Wrong  physical  habits  in  boyhood  fan  the  fires  of 
sexual  excitement  and  make  premature  men.  Often 
these  boys,  before  puberty,  have  love  affairs  and  prac- 
tice all  the  vices  of  men,  rendering  their  affections 
violent  and  yet  dainty  and  disordered.  A  girl's  weak^ 
because  immature,  love  is  easily  reversed,  and  a  riper 
love  would  easily  supplant  it  Young  sparks  who 
would  set  her  wild  at  sixteen,  would  be  barely  toler- 


294:  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIEXr. 

Differences  of  Age. 

ated  at  eighteen,  and  at  twenty  she  would  consider 
them  too  "  spoony  "  "  for  anything." 

A  young  lady  is  physically  much  much  better  able 
to  consummate  a  true  healthy  love  marriage  at  the 
age  of  twenty  than  before,  and  much  less  liable  to 
those  peculiar  afflictions  that  weakened  female  consti- 
tutions are  subject  to. 

Males  should  be  from  two  to  four  years  older. 
Twenty -four  years  in  man  and  twenty-three  in  woman 
is  the  best  age  for  marriage,  if  all  of  nature's  laws 
have  been  observed.  Don't  wait  longer  if  you  are  a 
perfect  being.  Up  to  twenty- two  those  who  marry 
should  be  about  the  same  age.  A  difference  of  ten 
years  after  the  younger  is  twenty-five  need  not  pre- 
vent a  marriage,  if  everything  else  is  favorable.  A 
man  of  forty-five  may  marry  a  woman  of  twenty-six 
or  upwards  much  more  safely  than  one  of  thirty  a  girl 
below  twenty.  Though  a  man  of  forty  should  not 
marry  one  below  twenty,  yet  a  man  of  fifty  may  ven- 
ture to  marry  a  woman  of  twenty-five,  if  he  is  hale, 
and  descended  from  a  long-lived  ancestry.  No  girl 
under  twenty  should  ever  marry  a  man  over  twenty- 
six.  Under  certain  circumstances  the  marriage  of  a 
young  man  to  an  elderly  woman  may  be  justified.  An 


SECKET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  295 

Conjugal  Perfections. 

elderly  woman,  possessing  superior  natural  excellen- 
cies, may  compensate  for  her  age  by  her  superiority, 
but  for  a  youn<T^  man  to  marry  an  elderly  woman  for 
her  wealth  and  long  for  her  death,  that  he  may  enjoy 
her  money,  "caps  the  climax  "  of  total  depravity. 

Personal  fitness  should  be  studied  by  both  interested 
parties.  A  good  physical  organism  is  the  base  of  all 
conjugal  perfections.  All  other  conjugal  prerequisites 
sink  into  insignificance  when  compared  with  this,  be- 
cause it  is  the  embodiment  of  all.  Which  is  the  most 
magnetic,  and  capable  of  the  deepest,  completest  de- 
votion, will  inspire  the  most  love  in  me,  and  call  out 
my  manly  affections  and  attributes? — is  man's  great 
practical  inquiry;  while  a  woman's  should  be — • 
which  is  the  truest  to  masculine  nature,  and  will 
bestow  the  most  on  me?  Gender  is  the  base  and 
measure  of  botii  companionship  and  parentage.  Those 
><rho  have  this  have  "the  one  thing  needful  in  mar- 
riage; "  those  who  lack  this  lack  all. 

Intercourse  before  marriage    should  never    occur. 
=  You  who  are  contemplating  marriage  cannot  afford  to 
despoil  your  platonic  love.     How  easy  is  its  debase- 
ment, as  all  will  testify  who  ever  loved.     "Would  stolen 
intercourses  be  satisfactory?    Wouldn't  it  rather  un- 


296  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Intercourse  before  Marriage. 

satisfy  and  kill  the  love  of  both?  To  carry  out  a 
complete  intercourse,  all  the  surroundings  must  be 
favorable.  The  feeling  that  it  may  not  be  exactly 
right,  or  fearing  premature  issue,  or  trying  to  prevent 
conception,  or  apprehending  detection,  or  anything 
else  which  mars  it,  will  prevent  your  full  conjugal  en- 
joj^ments  in  this  and  all  other  respects.  Female 
modesty  is  another  reason,  and  there  are  many  others. 
No,  you  can't  afford  it. 

For  both  to  participate  fully  and  feel  perfectly  at 
ease,  requires  complete  isolation  and  perfect  secrecy. 
Wait  until  after  marriage  is  the  best  policy,  especially 
for  the  female.  Tou  might  not  marry  after  all — then 
what?  Hundreds  of  such  cases  have  occurred.  "The 
old,  old  story, — "  you  all  know  it.  Only  in  marriage  is 
our  natural  want  supplied.  There  is  no  substitute 
for  it. 

This  living  on  sexual  crumbs  stolen  here  and  there, 
and  perhaps  snatched  from  the  table  of  others,  is  like 
famishing  on  crusts,  in  place  of  enjoying  the  soul-and- 
bod}^  satisfying  banquet  of  marriage.  One  may  sub- 
stitute a  cork  limb  or  false  teeth  for  natural  with  ease 
and  benefit,  but  this  trying  to  supplant  love  by  other 
faculties  is  like  trying  to  substitute  something  else  in 
place  of  food  and  breath. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  297 

No  Substitute  for  Marriage — Matrimonial  Excursion. 

Take  that  dashing,  heartless  beauty  to  jonr  arms  if 
you  will,  but  let  me  take  one  brim -full  of  love.  Take 
that  soulless  Miss;  take  that  society  girl  who  has  frit- 
tered awaj'  her  power  to  love;  but  give  me  the  fond, 
clinging,  doting  Miss,  who  has  never  learned  to  imag- 
ine love  for  every  fine  looking  man  that  crosses  her  path. 
The  girl  who  tries  to  "  make  a  mash  "  on  every  young 
fellow  she  meets,  is  very  apt  to  be  badly  "  mashed  " 
herself  in  her  final  selection  of  a  husband. 

The  first  year  or  two  of  married  life  decides  the  fu- 
ture happiness  of  man  and  wife,  and  it  is  a  matter  of 
life-time  importance  that  they  should  commence  right. 
If  they  are  wrongly  mated,  life's  fondest  hopes  will 
soon  vanish  into  regrets  and  remorse.  If  they  are 
rightly  mated,  then  life's  brightest  dreams  will  be 
realized.  A  family  is  a  great  afiair — a  community  by 
itself — and  wields  a  wonderful  power  over  man  and 
woman.  As  a  production,  it  has  no  equals.  As  a 
speculation,  it  yields  better  "  dividends "  than  any 
other  "line  of  business"  in  which  mortals  can  invest. 
This  matrimonial  excursion  will  take  you  around  the 
world  in  better  style,  and  show  you  finer  "  prospects," 
than  any  other.  No  "  dead-heads  "  on  this  trip.  "Who- 
ever "  owns  "  a  good  wife  or  a  good  husband,  and  has 


298  SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Deferred  Marriages. 

a  "  clear  title  "  to  a  lot  of  little  ones,  may  feel  jproud 
of  their  condition. 

Young  man  and  young  woman!  Heed  this  advice. 
Let  the  years  of  your  immaturity  be  devoted  to  your 
moral,  intellectual  and  physical  culture.  There  is 
enough  to  learn  and  enough  to  do  to  occupy  your 
thoughts  and  time  and  energies,  without  worrying 
about  matrimonial  matters,  away  in  the  future.  Let 
your  sexual  natures  be  a  sealed  book,  highly  prized 
and  guarded,  but  unread,  until  the  proper  time  to 
break  the  seal  and  enjoy  the  pleasures  and  the  bless- 
ings the  reading  of  its  pages  will  afford. 

"When  nature  and  culture  have  done  their  work,  and 
you  are  physically  and  mentally  able  to  marry,  do  so 
when  the  right  alliance  can  be  formed.  Let  no  long 
courtship  sap  you  of  your  vitality.  Too  many  young 
people  have  bankrupted  their  lives  by  extended  court- 
ships. Sometimes  marriage  is  indefinitely  postponed 
in  order  to  gain  the  desired  amounts  of  property  to 
start  out  in  good  style.  Sometimes  it  is  deferi-ed 
to  gain  the  consent  of  parents  on  one  side  or  both. 
Sometimes  it  is  deferred  because  one  party  or 
the  other  is  fearful  that  the  marriage  is  hard- 
ly   up    to    his  or    her  ideas.      When    these    condi- 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETT.  299 

Be  Guided  by  Judgment  instead  of  Passion. 

tions  occur,  make  do  marriage  contract,  and  if 
one  is  made,  either  surmount  the  difficulties  in  a  rea- 
sonable time,  or  mutually  break  the  engagement.  Let 
no  sickly  half- formed  love  drive  you  to  distraction. 
Do  not  pine  for  a  marriage  engagement  entirely  out 
of  your  reach,  or  one  that  is  unsuitable  by  reason  of 
disparity  of  ages,  temperament  or  physical  disability. 
Train  your  love  to  concentrate  on  a  worthy  object, 
and  be  guided  by  wisdom  instead  of  passion.  Finally, 
when  the  mating  season  comes,  do  not  let  it  idly  pass, 
but  find  a  companion  worthy  of  your  love  ;  then 
marry  at  once.  If  you  have  but  little  to  start  with,  it 
matters  not,  if  you  are  truly  married,  for  it  will  be 
the  delight  of  each  to  aid  in  building  up  a  home,  lit- 
tle by  little,  by  your  own  exertions.  Such  a  home, 
built  on  the  right  foundation,  by  willing,  earnest,  lov- 
ing hands,  will  be  cemented  and  bound  together  by 
the  twining  tendrils  of  affection,  and  the  joys  that  are 
tasted  in  it  will  equal  the  highest  pleasures  of  kings 
and  queens,  who  dwell  in  unearned  palaces. 


300  SECEET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


Importance  of  Conjugal  Fitness. 


PAET  XXIII. 

WHO  ARE  ADAPTED  TO  EACH   OTHEE  AND  WHO  ARE 
NOT. 

TjlITNESS,  or  adaptability,  is  the  most  important 
requisite  in  anything,  or  everything,  in  this 
world.  Anything  is  infinitely  more  valuable  for  any 
given  purpose,  if  it  is  adapted  for  that  purpose.  Some 
things  not  adapted  for  a  purpose  can  be  used  tem- 
porarily as  a  make-shift,  but  to  preserve  harmony  in 
anything  the  parts  must  be  adapted  to  each  other. 

Conjugal  fitness  is  doubly  important,  and  in  fact 
this  is  the  main  requisite  in  a  husband  or  wife.  In- 
deed this  adaptation  is  the  very  first  point  to  be  con- 
sidered, and  that  around  which  all  centers. 

A  good  original  organism  lies  at  the  base  of  all  con- 
jugal prerequisites,  because  it  is  the  great  determiner 
of  character  and  capacity.  It  is  called  hereditary  con- 
stitution in  man,  and  "blood"  in  stock.  It  vitalizes 
all  functions,  both  mental  and  physical,  and  it  is  to  all 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  301 

Disabilities  that  are  a  Burden  to  the  Husband. 

what  motive  power  is  to  machinerj.  It  embraces 
physical  tendencies  to  longevity  and  disease,  strength, 
stamina  and  endurance,  and  all  natural  proclivities, 
intellectual,  moral,  and  dispositional,  including  the 
talents.  Thus,  some  are  constitutionally  predisposed 
to  consumption,  rheumatism,  etc.,  others  to  other 
hereditary  infirmities,  while  others  still  are  sound  and 
and  hardy.  Other  families  are  obstinate  or  higli  tem- 
pered, or  amiable,  or  just,  or  intellectual,  etc.,  and 
these  hereditary  peculiarities  and  characteristics  will 
go  far  to  control  both  the  mentalities  and  physiologies 
of  their  children.  If  the  mother  of  a  family  scolds, 
beware  of  her  daughter,  unless  that  daughter  resem- 
bles her  father,  and  he  is  a  good  quiet  man.  If  the 
mother  is  spry,  blithe  and  hardy,  the  daughter  will 
likely  inherit  her  vigor  and  amiable  disposition,  but 
if  she  is  morose,  sickly,  or  tainted  with  hereditary 
maladies,  the  daughter  is  liable  to  inherit  such  dis- 
abilities as  will  often  make  her  life  a  burden  to  her 
husband.  Only  a  course  of  physical  training  and  cul- 
ture can  improve  the  hereditary  taints,  and  young  la- 
dies should  try  to  overcome  them  so  as  to  offer  a  good 
liealthy  physical  organization  to  their  prospective  hus- 
bands, in  spite  of  the  weight  laid  upon  them  by  their 
Darents. 


302  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Masculine  Strength  and  Female  Beauty. 

Animal  power  is  the  great  base  of  all  capacity,  all 
functional  excellence.  Life  is  a  burden  without 
health,  and  the  sickly  are  worth  but  little  to  them- 
selves, their  families,  or  the  world.  As  a  machine, 
however  well  adapted  to  execute  the  best  of  work,  is 
worthless  without  motive  power,  so  animal  power  is 
the  first  prerequisite  for  companionship. 

A  good  physique  is  indispensable,  even  to  mental 
power  and  moral  excellence,  which  wax,  wane,  or  be- 
come vitiated,  according  to  existing  pliysical  condi- 
tions. Men  always  have  worshiped — will  worship — 
at  the  shrine  of  female  beauty,  and  women  at  that  of 
masculine  strength;  both  of  which  consist  mainly  in 
various  animal  conditions.  Let  those  girls  who  know 
no  better,  choose  little-faced,  little-footed,  small-boned, 
shriveled,  soft-handed,  soft-headed,  nervous,  white-liv- 
ered young  men;  but  you  do  not  want  them.  They 
may  answer  merely^  to  beau  you  into  and  out  of  a  par- 
lor or  ball-room,  or  escort  you  to  a  party  or  a  picnic, 
or  for  flirtation ;  but  the}'-  will  make  miserable  hus- 
bands, because  they  are  sot  sick  enough  to  nurse,  nor 
well  enough  to  excite  j'our  whole-souled  love,  and  are 
so  fidgety  and  irritable  that  to  please  or  love  them  is 
impossible.     Indoor  clerks  and  puny  dandies  are  in- 


SECKET   SINS   OF    SOcIeTY.  303 

Indoor  Clerks  and  Puny  Dandies. 

deed  more  polite  than  sturdy  farmers  and  mechanics; 
but  as  conjugal  partners,  robust  workingmen  are  al- 
together preferable. 

Miss  Young  America  stands  badlj  in  her  own  light 
bj  refusing  tlio  hardy  and  resolute  mechanic,  for  the 
more  accomplished,  but  less  reliable  clerk,  or  idle  in- 
heritor of  a  fortune.  These  anti-working  ideas  of 
both  sexes  are  rendering  them  almost  unmarriageable, 
just  from  muscular  inertia,  and  ruining  future  gener- 
ations. At  this  rate  of  decline  we  may  expect  a  fee- 
ble, delicate  race  of  mortals,  and  as  few  as  weakly  ; 
yet  individuals  are  not  to  blame.  Our  societarian 
customs  are  thus  fatal  to  our  future.  Our  men  rush 
from  work  to  study,  or  some  sedentary  employment, 
or  else  to  business.  Their  minds  must  be  educated 
at  the  expense  of  their  constitutions,  to  the  ruin  of 
both.  "Women  patronize  muscle,  not  dandyism;  smile 
on  strength,  not  delicacy;  and  young  men,  indoors 
and  out,  make  health  the  paramount  attainment, 
both  for  its  own  sake,  and  that  of  your  prospective 
wife;  and  also  for  its  indispensabilit}^  to  the  matri- 
monial and  parental  relations. 

Men  should  also  select  a  woman  for  a  wife  with  a 
good,  strong  healthy  body;  and  should  he  by  com  pas- 


304  SECEET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Marriage  of  Cousins. 

sion  wed  some  sickly,  feeble  girl,  he  will  probably  live 
to  see  her  and  his  children  placed  side  by  side  in  the 
grave-yard  long  before  the  prime  of  life.  Married 
women  should  take  charge  of  their  domestic  affairs, 
and  educate  their  daughters  in  the  arts  of  house-keep- 
ing; but  these  domestic  duties  should  never  be  made 
burdensome,  and  allowed  to  reduce  the  wife  and  moth- 
er to  a  mere  household  drudge.  Many  a  woman  has 
slaved  herself  to  death  for  the  sake  of  economy,  when 
her  husband  was  well  able  to  supply  all  the  aid  she  so 
badly  needed. 

Consanguineous  marriages  should  never  be  tolerat- 
ed. Fully  one-half  of  all  the  deaf,  dumb,  blind,  idiot- 
ic, deformed,  miserable  and  disgusting  specimens  of 
humanity  are  the  offspring  of  cousins.  Occasionally 
two  cousins,  who  do  not  resemble  one  another,  and 
who  inherit  mostly  from  those  parents  who  are  not 
related,  can  safely  marry,  but  it  is  far  safer  to  abide  by 
the  rule  and  never  marry  your  cousin.  You  can  just 
as  well  fix  your  affections  on  one  better  suited  to  you 
physically,  even  though  the  cousin  be  the  highest 
type  of  manhood  or  womanhood.  Cousins  too  often 
form  attachments  in  early  childhood  that  culminate 
in  an  engagement  long  before  they  reach  maturity, 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  305 

What  one  Woman  likes  another  Dislikes. 

and  when  they  do  reach  a  marriageable  age  they  brave 
the  dangers  to  their  offspring  rather  than  break  the 
prematurely  made  engagement. 

.  Men  are  created  with  different  tastes  and  disposi- 
tions. This  diversity  is  the  great  instrumentality  of 
progress  and  invention,  which  similarity  would  render 
impossible."  Some  men  like  large,  others  small  and 
still  others,  medium  sized  women;  some  this  com- 
plexion, some  that;  one  a  blonde,  another  a  brunette. 
One  woman  admires  and  another  dislikes  the  same 
man  and  attributes.  One  can  hardly  tolerate  what 
perfectly  fascinates  anotlier;  and  yet  both  are  intelli- 
gent and  judge  correctly  in  other  respects.  These 
likes  and  dislikes  are  not  fitful,  but  are  governed  by 
primal  laws.  Hence,  we  can  predict  with  accuracy 
that  this  one  will  like  these  traits  and  that  one  other 
qualities. 

All  affectional  likes  and  dislikes  are  as  instinctive 
and  inflexible  as  those  by  which  the  lion  craves  raw 
meat,  and  the  horse  oats. 

Nature  adapts  particular  males  and  females  to  each 
other,  and  creates  a  mutual  attraction  between  those 
who  are  thus  adapted. 

A  man  or  woman,  fairly  intelligent  and  educated, 
20 


306  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Tenderness  of  Womauhood. 

will  know  bj  this  intuitive  instinct  the  conjugal  mate 
that  each  should  select,  but  owing  to  many  circum- 
stances,  want  of  introduction,  social  standing,  inferior 
relationship,  etc.,  many  suitable  marriages  are  missed, 
and  many  unsuitable  ones  consummated. 

There  never  bloomed  a  rich,  rare  flower,  without  a 
liand  somewhere  that  longed  to  pluck  it,  or  an  eye 
that  desired  to  gaze  upon  its  loveliness.  There  never 
grew  a  sturdy  oak  without  some  tender,  clinging, 
creeping  vine  stretching  out  its  tiny  tendrils,  as  if  in 
natural  prayer  that  the  strong  support  might  be 
reached.  The  flower  may  be  "  born  to  blush  unseen," 
and  the  oak  and  vine  may  never  meet,  yet  nature  in- 
tended that  they  should.  Just  so  in  the  human 
family  ;  there  are  males  and  females  of  every 
grade  suitable  to  one  another,  and  it  is  the  duty  of 
society  to  assist  people  to  come  together  and  become 
acquainted. 

A  system  of  marriage  intelligence  offices  would  be 
a  good  thing  if  conducted  upon  scientific  principles, 
where  men  and  women  could  meet  and  talk  over  and 
arrange  suitable  matches.  "What  a  boon  such  an 
institution  would  be  to  hundreds  of  busy  and  diffident 
men,  and  shy  and  isolated  women  and  girls. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  307 

Blighted  Lives  for  want  of  CompanionshLip. 

How  often  do  we  hear  the  expiession:  "The  kind 
Df  a  husband  I  want  I  cannot  get,  and  the  one  I  can 
get  I  would  not  liavel"  hence  two  lives  are  almost 
blighted  for  want  of  companionship.  It  would  be  in- 
finitely better  if  men  and  women  of  marriageable  age 
could  be  suitably  advertised  and  sought  in  a  business 
way  than  by  the  ordinary  and  uncertain  way  of  flirta- 
tion, gorgeous  and  expensive  dress,  costly  annual  sea- 
side visits,  etc.,  that  do  not  display  the  real  character 
of  either  party. 

The  proper  thought  should  be  to  first  find  a  suitable 
person  for  a  companion  for  life,  and  then  develop  the 
love  that  surely  awaits  such  an  alliance. 

Ever}'^  unmarried  person  should  ask  the  above  ques- 
tion, and  we  will  try  and  assist  yon  in  the  answer, 
presuming  you  to  be  able  to  read  human  character  by 
outward  signs.  Nature  has  her  inside  and  outside 
circles,  which  man  must  not  transcend,  but  within 
which  she  allows  full  liberty.  Tlius  those  about  aver- 
age in  height  and  weight,  may  marry  those  who  are 
about  average,  or  in  either  extreme;  while  those  in 
either  extreme  should  marry  opposite,  in  order  to 
average  their  children.  Thus  very  tall  men  love  very 
short  women,  in  order  that  their   children  may  be 


308  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Attraction  of  Delicacy  and  Coarseness. 

neither;  whereas,  if  a  very  tall  man  should  marry  a 
very  tall  woman,  this  doubling  would  reader  their 
children  inconveniently  spindling. 

Coarse,  powerful,  loggy  and  easy  temperaments' 
must  not  marry  their  similars,  lest  their  children  be 
still  lower.  Such  unions  produce  in  too  many  instan- 
ces the  lowest  types  of  idiots,  even  where  the  parents 
are  fairly  intelligent.  Should  such  persons  marry  a 
more  spicy  temperament,  their  children  will  be 
brighter  and  better  than  themselves. 

How  often  are  a  strong,  robust,  coarse,  shaggy- 
locked,  red-faced,  powerful  man,  and  most  exquisitely 
susceptible,  fine-grained,  delicate,  refined  and  pure- 
minded  woman  drawn  together?  One  would  think 
her  delicacy  would  revolt  at  his  coarseness,  and  his 
power  despise  her  exquisiteness.  "What  attracts  them? 
Her  need  of  animality.  By  presupposition  her  deli- 
cate organism  has  about  exhausted  her  sparse  fund  of 
vitality,  so  that  she  is  perishing  for  the  want  of  this 
first  requisite  of  life,  and  naturally  gravitates  to  one 
who  eliminates  sufficient  animal  magnetism  to  sup- 
port both;  so  that  she  literally  lives  on  his  surplus 
animal  warmth  and  vitality,  he  being  all  the  better 
for  this  draft;  while  she  pays  him  back  by  refining 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  309 

Little  Folks  and  their  Prospects. 

and  elevating  him,  and  their  children  inherit  his  pow- 
erful organism  along  with  her  exquisite  taste  and 
moral  tone,  and  are  therefore  far  better  than  if  both 
parents  were  powerfully  animalized,  or  both  exquis- 
itely emotional. 

Some  of  the  brightest  children  we  see  are  the  chil- 
dren of  a  delicate,  highly-cultivated  father,  and  a 
large,  healthy  and  vigorous  mother.  Cold  hands  and 
feet  in  both  leave  the  circulation  of  their  children 
still  lower;  hence  warm  and  cold  extremities  should 
intermarry  that  their  children  may  be  warm. 

Tom  Thumb,  a  dwarf  himself,  confesses  to  a  most 
marked  preference  for  good-sized  women;  and  his 
child  by  his  dwarf-wife  weighed  only  two  pounds  at 
birth,  lingered  and  died. 

"  Little  folks  "  must  not  marry  little,  unless  they 
are  willing  to  have  still  smaller  children,  and  thereby 
produce  a  race  of  "Lilliputians;  "  but  must  marry 
good-sized,  and  tlieir  children  will  be  medium. 

Nature  has  established  a  law  that  extremes  illy 
mated  seldom  produce  children,  thereby  cutting  off 
the  injury  to  the  race  that  they  might  otherwise  in- 
flict. 

Should  those  tainted  with  insanity,  consumption, 
etc.,  marry? 


310  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Marrying  of  Opposites. 

"VVe  answer,  yes,  in  many  instances.  There  are,  of 
course,  rare  instances  where  the  physical  or  mental  or- 
ganisms are  so  distorted  that  marriage  is  impossible  and 
should  never  be  consummated.  Yet  as  the  primal  right 
of  all  to  exercise  their  natural  rights  is  unquestioned, 
then  the  question  arises,  can  these  persons  marry  and 
and  not  deteriorate  the  race?  "We  answer  unquestion- 
ably, yes,  in  a  majority  of  cases.  No  man,  no  set  of 
men  can  decide  this  important  question.  Nature  has 
decided  it  by  declaring  that  where  children  cannot  be 
successfully  completed,  they  are  never  begun.  Har- 
lots seldom  give  birth  to  children;  and  Nature  says, 
"Passably  good,  or  none;  nothing  rather  than  bad." 

Marrying  opposites  will  give  good  children,  if  any; 
or  if  none,  at  least  the  luxury  of  marriage;  will 
quench  that  burning  thirst,  satiate  that  hungry  appe- 
tite, which  a  life  of  celibacy  will  surely  engender,  and 
never  appease. 

"We  know  a  simple  husband  of  an  educated  wife. 
No  children  bless  them,  but  their  home  is  a  model  of 
content.  We  know  a  little  dwarfed  hunchback, 
homely,  uncouth,  squeaky-voiced,  who  married  a 
splendid  woman,  and  they  have  raised  a  family  of 
thirteen  splendid  children,  and  grown  rich  by  iudus- 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  311 

Products  of  Such  Marriages. 

try  and  frugality.  Had  he  not  married,  he  would 
probably  now  be  driving  a  swill-cart  or  be  engaged  in 
some  such  low  occupation.  We  know  a  gentleman 
who  was  crippled  in  childhood  by  rheumatism.  He 
married  a  homely  but  amiable  wife,  and  they  have 
raised  a  fine  family  of  children.  Who  says  such  may 
not  marry?  Nature  says  they  may,  and  proves  the 
correctness  by  the  result.  A  person  predisposed  to 
insanity  should  never  marry  an  excitable  person. 
Take  a  slow,  easy,  jolly,  good-hearted  companion,  and 
your  children  will  be  all  right.  If  predisposed  to 
consumption  or  cancer,  marry  one  the  farthest  re- 
moved from  these  taints,  and  the  hereditary  defect  will 
disappear,  or  at  least  be  greatly  reduced  in  its  ravages, 
doubly  so  if  you  cultivate  the  weak  points  of  your 
children. 

Since  few  have  well  balanced  heads  or  bodies,  most 
require  to  marry  their  opposites  in  one  or  more  re- 
spects. Almost  all  have  too  much  brain  for  body,  or 
body  for  brain ;  or  else  too  much  or  too  little  respira- 
tion, or  digestion  or  circulation,  or  muscle,  for  their 
other  physical  functions. 

Those  who  are  medium  in  complexion,  stature,  etc. 
who  are  neither  extra  dark  nor  light,  large  nor  small, 


312  BECKET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  ' 

What  Characterstics  should  and  should  not  Marry. 

tall  nor  short,    lean  nor  fat,  etc.,  may  marry  anywhere 
their  fancy  leads  them. 

Bright,  red  hair  should  marry  jet  black,  and  jet 
black,  auburn  or  bright  red;  and  the  more  red-faced 
and  bearded  or  impulsive  a  man,  the  more  dark,  calm, 
cool  and  quiet  should  his  wife  be;  and  vice  versa. 

Ked-whiskered  men  should  marry  brunettes,  not 
blondes;  the  color  of  the  whiskers  being  more  deter- 
minate of  the  temperament  than  that  of  the  hair.  The 
color  of  the  eyes  is  still  more  important.  Grey  eyes 
must  marry  some  other  color,  almost  any  other  tint; 
so  of  other  colored  eyes. 

Yery  fleshy  people  should  marry  those  who  are  lean 
and  slim,  and  even  then  some  of  the  children  are  liable 
to  a  surplus  of  obesity. 

Those  with  little  hair  or  beard  should  marry  those 
who  have  an  abundant  supply.  Bony,  muscular  tem- 
peraments, and  strongly  marked  outlines,  should 
marry  a  smooth,  round  plump  form. 

Rapid  movers,  speakers,  laughers,  etc.,  should  mar- 
ry those  who  are  deliberate  and  calm. 

Masculine  women  who  inherit  from  their  fathers 
mainly,  should  marry  men  who  inherit  their  mother's 
traits.     Let  each  person  seeking  a  conjugal  mate  also 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOOIETr.  313 

Mental  Traits. 

use  as  much  discretion  in  mental  traits  as  in  physical 
peculiarities,  and  there  will  be  fewer  unhappy  mar- 
riages in  the  future,  fewer  divorces,  and  an  infinitely 
better  and  happier  progeny  will  be  the  inevitable  and 
commendable  result. 


)14:  .  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


What  is  Most  Admired  of  God's  Creation. 


PAET  XXIY. 

THE  KIND  OF  WOMEN  THAT  MEN  ADMIRE. 

TjlEMALE  perfection  is  the  admiration  of  the 
-*•  world.  A  beautiful  woman  is  the  most  admired 
of  God's  creation.  No  other  earthly  form  compares 
with  it.  A  beautiful  woman  is  a  princess  in  her  own 
right.  She  is  so  lavishly  endowed  by  Nature  that  she 
does  not  require  to  search  curiously  for  styles  which 
will  enhance  the  sheen  of  her  hair,  the  glory  of  her 
eyes. 

Good-looking  women,  pretty  women,  handsome  wo- 
men, are  not  so  rare;  but  beautiful  women  must  be 
rare  of  necessity,  if  the  full  meaning  of  beauty  is 
considered.  The  world,  however,  does  not  make  fine 
distinctions,  and  it  is  easy  for  almost  any  agreeable 
woman  devoid  of  repulsive  features  to  pass  for  a 
beauty,  especially  with  those  to  whom  she  is  most 
agreeable. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  315 

Woman  the  Best  Exponents  of  the  Beautiful.-.. 

The  highest  forms  are  the  most  complex,  and  it  is 
natural,  therefore,  that  our  women  who  have  all  the 
mingled  currents  of  blood  which  flow  from  every  na- 
tion in  the  world,  should  be  the  highest  exponents  of 
the  beautiful.  They  need  only  the  development  that 
belongs  to  them,  and  the  circumstances  that  surround 
them,  to  blossom  into  grace  and  attractiveness.  Ease 
and  culture  are,  as  a  rule,  the  spiritual  parents  of 
feminine  loveliness.  So  far  as  woman  is  concerned, 
culture  is  only  another  n.ime  for  beauty.  America 
has  more  beautiful  women  than  can  be  found  in  any 
other  country.  Travel  where  we  may,  we  find  that 
the  fairest  faces  belong  to  American  women.  This 
fact  is  universally  recognized. 

Sometimes  we  do  not  quite  appreciate  how  prodigal 
Nature  has  been  to  our  daughters,  until  we  compare 
them  with  the  sex  of  other  countries.  One  can  meet 
more  comely,  attractive,  interesting  women,  on  any 
pleasant  afternoon  during  a  drive  through  some  one 
of  our  fashionable  thoroughfares,  in  any  of  our  large 
cities,  than  can  be  seen  in  a  week's  time  in  London, 
Paris,  Naples,  or  any  other  European  capital.  Our 
aesthetic  taste  is  purer  and  more  correct.  One  of  our 
pretty  women,  in  all  the  glory  of  a  satisfactory  toilet. 


316  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

What  is  Most  Beautiful  to  Man. 

under  the  soft  skj  of  the  blaze  of  chandeliers,  is  as 
nearly  an  incarnate  poem  as  Nature  appears  willing 
to  create. 

He  who  feels  an  Interest  in  living  pictures  and  pal- 
pitating statues,  can  find  pleasant  entertainment  in 
our  parks  and  fashionable  thoroughfares  any  pleasant 
day.  "Whether  he  worship  blondes  or  brunettes,  woman 
plump  or  slight,  tall  or  short,  imposing  or  shrinking, 
splendid  or  quiet,  stately  or  retiring,  he  will  find  them 
fashioned  to  his  mind. 

Those  parts  of  a  beautiful  woman  whicli  is  per- 
haps the  most  beautiful  to  man's  eyes,  are  about  the 
neck  and  breasts;  the  smoothness,  the  softness,  the 
easy  and  insensible  swell,  the  variety  of  the  surface 
whicli  is  never  for  the  smallest  space  the  same,  the  de- 
lightful maze,  tlirough  which  the  unsteady  ej^e  glides 
giddily,  without  knowing  where  to  fix,  or  whither  it 
is  carried. 

Woman  spontaneously  inclines  to  loveliness,  as 
flowers  to  fragrance,  or  as  waters  to  the  sea.  Fame 
and  glory  are  achieved  by  men  to  please  and  honor 
beautiful  women.  Men  strive  to  accomplish  those 
things  which  women  will  approve  and  love  them  for. 
They  are  attracted  by  beauty,  and  seek  a  closer  alii- 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  317 

How  Man  is  Enamored. 

ance  with  it.  Man  admires  and  aims  to  appropriate 
it  to  its  highest  purpose. 

Beauty  in  form  and  feature  is  the  grandest  phase 
of  esthetics.  Man  is  enamored  bj  it.  His  desire  to 
possess  it  promotes  marriage.  It  prompts  hira  to 
strive  for  the  consummation  of  his  desires.  Amorous 
men  strive  to  possess  beautiful  women.  Men  bow 
and  fawn  around  the  handsome,  while  the  ugly  are 
left  alone.  The  more  handsome  a  woman,  the  more 
readily  she  inspires  love  in  man. 

Men  admire  loveliness  of  form.  The  woman  of  full 
breasts  draws  him  with  well-nigh  irresistible  force. 
The  more  marrigeable  are  those  who  have  them  fully 
developed.  Men  avoid  the  flat-breasted  female  as 
though  she  were  unsexed.  Tlie  voluptuousness  of 
the  full-breasted  appeals  to  the  strong  sexual  nature 
of  the  man.  Among  some  men,  large  bosoms  are 
dearly  prized,  and  some  have  a  real  passion  for  them. 
Of  this  women  are  fully  aware,  as  is  acknowledged  by 
the  artificial  ones  so  commonly  worn. 

Other  features  of  beauty  are  large  hips  and  tapering 
limbs.  The  rush  of  men  to  see  the  ballet-girls,  evinces 
the  pleasure  they  take  in  these  personal  charms. 

Small  feet  and  ankles  are  the  glory  of  women,  as 


318  SECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

What  gives  Power  of  Attraction  in  the  Female. 

these  are  signs  of  the  nice  conformity  to  the  tapering 
below  the  hips. 

Passion  is  a  most  necessary  part  of  the  female  na- 
ture. Its  natural  manifestation  is  a  sure  guaranty  of 
strong  sexuality,  which  is  appreciated  and  responded 
to  by  men.  The  women  who  have  this  passion  well 
defined,  are  the  most  prized  and  sought  after  by  man. 

The  world  knows  this  passion,  as  it  exists  in  both 
male  and  female,  who  always  tend  toward  its  consum- 
mation in  the  sexual  relation.  The  more  sexuality  in 
woman,  the  more  she  is  loved  by  man.  It  makes  the 
female  nature  a  power  of  attraction,  loveliness  and 
sweetness.  It  is  woman's  glory.  She  can  only  fulfiU 
her  true  mission  to  her  husband  and  children  by  its 
gracious  exercise.  The  lack  of  it  can  not  be  compen- 
sated for  by  any  other  good  quality.  The  reciproca- 
tion of  passion  is  due  from  the  wife  to  the  husband, 
as  any  other  reasonable  demand,  and  she  has  no  more 
right  to  refuse  her  affection  and  passion  than  her  hus- 
band has  the  right  to  refuse  her  support.  Man  finds 
tliis  desire  so  strong  within  himself  that  he  will  seek  its 
gratification  abroad  if  not  indulged  at  home.  The 
lack  of  this  amatory  feeling  on  the  part  of  wives, 
causes  a  drifting  away  from  home  of  husbands  who 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  319 

Why  Harlots  Hold  Men  Spell-bouud. 

would  otherwise  find  no  interest  in  visiting  women 
of  pleasure.  The  intercourse  with  his  wife  is  prefer- 
able to  that  witli  the  strange  woman.  The  lattei 
could  not  draw  the  patronage  of  men  without  this  in- 
tercourse, which  they  must  enjoy  or  appear  to  enjoy. 
A  harlot  provokes  aniativeness  in  her  patron  by  man- 
ifesting her  own.  She  must  be  or  appear  diligent  in 
her  "  love,"  if  she  would  win  a  continuance  of  patron- 
age. By  this  means  she  delights  her  patrons,  and 
fleeces  thera  of  their  money. 

"Wives  may  well  take  a  lesson  in  this  from  their  fe- 
male enemies.  They  should  learn  just  that  whicli 
pleases  and  gratifies  their  hnsbands — that  which  thrills 
and  charms  thera,  and  makes  conjugal  life  sweeter  than 
the  gilded  haunts  of  sensuality.  Make  your  husband 
love  you,  and  only  you.  Use  your  powers  to  interest 
and  fascinate  him.  Hold  him  to  you  by  your  charms. 
Passion  is  developed  in  either  sex  by  men  and  women 
coming  together.  Woman  inspires  it  in  man,  in 
whom  it  is  without  efficacy  until  she  awakens  it. 
Hence  man  is  more  susceptible  to  the  charms  of  wo- 
man, and  more  seducibleby  her  than  she  by  him.  A 
woman  strong  in  this  passion  will  succeed  in  drawing 
to  her  the  man  for  whom  she   sets  her  cap;  whereas 


J20  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Why  Woman  Yields  Less  Readily  than  Man. 


the  woman  who  is  weak  in  this  respect  will  fail.  Old 
maids  who  trj  hard  but  to  little  purpose  because  their 
seed-fountains  have  run  empty,  must  be  content  to 
witness  the  successes  of  the  well-sexed  of  their  race 
wlio  usually  captivate,  each  one,  her  choice. 

Woman  should  know  how  to  command  her  passion 
if  she  would  govern  man.  No  true  man  will  refuse  a 
ffracious  woman  who  loves  him — he  will  fall,  natural- 
ly,  in  her  favor. 

The  well-sexed  woman  has  the  greater  power  to  fas- 
cinate; and  this  pleases  the  well-sexed  man. 

"Woman  is  man's  enchantress  and  manager.  She 
awakens  passion  in  him  when  she  is  ready  for  inter- 
course— not  he  in  her  when  he  desires.  Woman  yields 
less  readily  to  man's  importunities  than  he  does  to  fe- 
male enticements.  This  trait  enables  them  to  control 
in  and  out  of  wedlock.  The  ability  to  inspire  passion 
in  men  by  females  is  given  in  the  time  when  needed, 
and  this  power  should  not  be  abused  by  excessive  use 
or  non-use. 

This  talent  or  art  is  displayed  by  some  women  with 
wonderful  ejffect,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  inore 
wives  and  mothers  are  not  possessed  of  it.  The 
woman  of  pleasure  employs  this  art  to  decoy  men 
aw'ay  from    their  wives   and'  attach  them   to  herself. 


SECRET   SIXS   OF    SOCIETY.  321 

Want  of  Adaptation  Characteristic  of  Society. 

Let  the  wives  remember  this.  Passion  met  by  pas- 
sive coldness  would  turn  love  into  hate.  Those  in 
passion  must  be  dissatisfied  with  those  who  are  not. 
This  want  of  adaptation  is  characteristic  of  society 
in  and  out  of  wedlock.  It  is  a  fruitful  source  of 
trouble  between  husbands  and  wives.  Honey-moons 
are  broken  up  oftentimes  by  the  passivity  of  wives, 
who  unwittingly  disappoint  well-disposed  but  jias- 
sionate  husbands.  A  woman's  heart  and  person  are 
together  bestowed  upon  him  she  loves,  and  she  gladly 
yields  to  him,  while  she  favors  none  else. 

A  woman  is  only  seduced  through  her  affections,  as 
evinced  by  seducers  appealing  to  her  passions  through 
her  sympathies,  and  accomplishing  their  purposes  by 
securing  her  love.  In  this  way  they  allure  lovely  and 
cherished  daughters,  and.  even  wives,  from  their 
homes  and  families. 

Mentality  is  man's  great  attribute.  "  The  mind  is  the 
•measure  of  the  man,"  and  men  love  a  fine  female  mind 
infinitely  more  than  a  fine  female  form.  Were  this  not 
true,  many  modern  ladies  would  slide  unnoticed  into 
celibacy  for  want  of  admirers,  whereas,  cultivated,  ac- 
complished women,  with  poor  bodies,  stand  a  much 
better  chance  in'  the  marital  market,  than  fine  phy- 
21 


322  SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Why  Men  admire  Mentral  Traits  in  Women. 

siques  witliout  mental  culture.  Hence  this  crowding 
of  girls  into  school  from  the  cradle,  though  it  obviously 
ruins  their  health.  The  existing  rage  to  make  girls 
musicians,  a  mental  trait,  is  but  a  section  of  this  law. 
The  transmission  of  physical  vigor  by  the  father  and 
mental  vigor  by  the  mother  is  the  only  hope  of  the 
offspring,  from  puny  yet  highly  cultivated  society- 
girls.  Men  love  all  the  gentler,  purer,  milder  attri- 
butes of  woman,  and  will  risk  life  itself  to  defend  and 
protect  a  weak,  timid,  confiding  woman.  Men  love 
and  reverence  a  woman  whose  soul  is  in  her  home,  and 
the  woman  who  makes  her  home  the  pleasantest  place 
on  earth,  will  seldom  miss  her  husband  from  it  dur- 
.ng  his  leisure  hours.  The  true  conjugal  axiom 
should  be  "iV^o  j)lace  like  home  "  and  we  are  safe  in 
asserting  that  no  badly  mated  people  ever  realize  the 
truth  of  the  axiom,  or  well  married  people  ever  fail 
to  realize  it. 

Then,  girls,  if  you  have  inherited  these  physical 
qualities  that  develop  into  the  highest  types  of  woman- 
hood, cultivate  them,  and  add  all  the  embellishments 
you  can  in  the  way  of  education,  culture,  refinement 
and  female  purity,  and  life  will  open  to  you  with  all 
its  most  enticing  promises  and  gifts;    or  if  perchance 


SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  323 

Highest  Type  of  Physical  Qualities. 

nature  has  not  dealt  so  kindly  with  you,  but  has  with- 
held some  of  the  desired  physical  traits,  then  by  extra 
efforts,  try  and  make  up  for  the  deficiency  by  some 
other  accomplishment,  and  you  will  have  no  difficulty 
in  selecting  a  husband  who  is  well  developed  where 
you  are  deficient,  and  thereby  guaranteeing  your  chil- 
dren a  fuller  measure  of  natural  gifts  than  you  by 
nature  have  inherited. 


324:  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 


Woman's  Admiration  of  Manliness. 


PAET   XXY. 

THE  KIND  OF  MEN  WOMEN  ADMIRE. 

11/rANLINESS  has  all  the  elements  of  attraction  for 
the  female  sex,  and  is  one  of  the  greatest  moral 
forces  in  society. 

Without  good  masculine  attributes  men  become  a 
nonentity  in  the  world.  A  perfect  man  is  a  rare  be- 
ins:  and  most  women  are  aware  of  this  fact.  His  life 
tells  very  little  about  the  innermost  nature  of  himself. 
In  most  cases  he  does  not  pretend  to  be  a  mass  of  vir- 
tue, and  in  the  majority  of  cases  is  not,  yet  let  him  do 
anything  great  and  noble,  and  women  will  respond 
with  fervor  without  asking  from  whence  it  came.  It 
is  her  nature  to  look  up  to  manliness.  She  has  an 
admiration  for  physical  force  and  power,  and  the  man 
who  has  the  most  of  it  is  the  most  admired  by  women. 

A  man  to  win  the  admiration  of  women  should  act 
manly  on  all  occasions.     He  should  never  degenerate 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  325 

Men  that  Attract  Women. 

to  the  level  of  the  clown,  but  always  recollect  that  he 
is  a  gentleman.  To  be  admired  by  woman,  man  must 
show  that  he  is  something  more  than  a  common  per- 
son. 

An  ordinary  man  is  a  very  unimaginary  creature,  who 
feels  that  he  has  no  particular  worth,  which  he  gener- 
ally shows  in  his  actions.  Women  do  not  take  to 
such  a  man  from  instinct,  but  through  force  of  cir- 
cumstances. 

Women  are  attracted  towards  men  who  have  self- 
assurance,  stability  and  decision.  There  is  no  mascu- 
line attraction  for  her  in  opposite  natures.  The  more 
womanly  a  woman  is,  the  more  she  admires  strong 
masculine  power.  Women  love  not  only  large  and 
powerful  masculine  qualities  in  men,  but  they  also 
love  intellectuality  and  strength  of  mind.  She  likes 
to  see  a  man  know  something,  and  her  favorite,  a  little 
more  than  any  one  else.  She  likes  men  with  intel- 
lectual capacity,  but  looks  with  disfavor  on  those  who 
seek  to  gain  her  admiration  through  any  other  chan- 
nel. To  gain  the  love  of  woman,  man  must  show  her 
that  he  knows  something.  In  this  age  it  is  one  of 
the  great  prerequisites  to  success  in  marriage  and  in 
the   family,  that   man  should  know  something,  to  be 


326  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Hen-pecked  Men— What  Kind  of  Men  Women  Despise. 

somebody.  "Women  love  bold  and  decisive  men,  bat 
hate  weakness  and  instability.  The  less  decided  a 
woman,  the  more  she  loves  decision  in  men.  She 
likes  the  one  npon  whom  she  can  depend,  but  hates 
one  with  a  variable  and  vacillating  character.  Cow- 
ardly men  women  detest,  but  brave  and  heroic  men, 
of  all  shades  and  characters,  gain  their  admiration. 

Women  like  to  see  their  hero  put  himself  upon  his 
dignity,  appear  proud  and  take  a  position  and  keep  it 
too.  They  don  't  like  to  see  him  back  down,  but  stick 
to  a  position  when  once  taken.  The  man  that  respects 
himself  and  acts  manly  in  all  these  various  phases  of 
human  character  will  gain  and  hold  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  woman.  The  men  that  women  can 
manage,  order  around  and  henpeck,  they  despise. 
Generosity  is  a  manly  trait  that  women  admire,  as  it 
shows  a  genuine  masculine  impulse.  A  lack  of  this 
quality  is  due  to  a  lack  of  manliness.  Women  detest 
stinginess  in  men  above  all  things,  and  all  men  should 
be  generous  if  they  wish  to  retain  the  respect  of  their 
lady  loves. 

Gallantry  is  another  branch  or  trait  of  the  male 
character  that  women  admire.  Politeness  in  man  is 
what   beauty  is  to  woman.     It   creates  an    instanta- 


^  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  327 

Manly  Traits  that  Women  Admire. 

neous  impression  in  bis  behalf,  while  the  opposite 
quality  exercises  as  quick  a  prejudice  a^-ainst  him. 
The  man  who  has  this  advantage  easily  distances  all 
rivals,  for  every  one  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact 
instantly  becomes  his  friend. 

Polished  manners  in  sc^oundrels  have  often  made 
them  successful,  while  the  best  of  men  by  their  hard- 
ness and  coldness,  liave  done  themselves  an  incalcu- 
lable injury — the  shell  being  so  rough  that  the  world 
would  not  believe  there  was  a  precious  kernel  within 
it.  Scores  of  men  have  been  successful  in  life  by 
pleasing  manners  alone.  This  pleasing  trait  of  char- 
acter is  very  essential  to  smooth  life's  pathway,  and  is 
worth  cultivating  in  all. 

All  women  should  decline  presents  and  attentions 
unless  they  intend  to  pay  back  in  love.  For  a  woman 
to  receive  presents  from  a  man  and  then  misuse  him 
is  an  outrage.  Woman  loves  intellectuality — com- 
manding talents  in  lover  or  husband.  She  likes  good, 
sound,  hard  sense,  and  those  men  who  think  to  enamor 
women  by  clean  linen,  fashionable  clothes  and  nicely 
combed  hair,  will  make  a  great  mistake.  You  want  to 
think,  and  show  her  that  you  know  something.  Tell 
her  something  new  and  original,  and  you  will  "  cap- 
ture "  her  at  once.     Public  men  and  those  well  edu- 


328  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  ^ 

Homely  Men— Their  Advantage. 

cated  take  better  witli  women  than  those  common- 
place sort  of  fellows,  however  nice  or  handsome. 

The  reason  homely  men  .tate  best  with  most  wo- 
men, is  because  their  prominent  and  perhaps  oiit- 
landisli  features  indicate  a  powerful  organism,  which 
gives  commanding  talents.  Mtiny  men  that  are  noted 
for  impressing,  captivating  and  desperately  enamor- 
ing  and  reducing  women,  are  ugly-looking,  while  tidy, 
and  handsome  men  stand  no  chance  at  alL  Young 
girls  not  old  enough  to  know  what  they  do  like  or  dis- 
like, are  sometimes  "smitten"  with  a  good-looking 
man — ^_]'ust  on  account  of  his  looks.  One  dijfference  to 
be  noted  between  man  and  woman  is,  that  the  former 
sets  much  by  the  personal  charms  of  females,  while 
the  latter  seem  utterly  indifferent  to  it  in  males. 
Women  detest  soft  men  above  all  other  defects,  and 
those  courting  men  who  seek  woman's  love  should  be 
careful  how  they  show  an}''  weak  spots.  If  you  lack 
knowledge,  read  books  and  inform  yourself,  and  show 
her  that  you  know  something;  give  her  some  new  and 
impressive  ideas,  for  all  women  think  a  man  smart 
before  they  love  him. 

Women  love  vigor  and  passion  in  men,  because  it  is 
a  creative  power.     The  less  passion  a  woman  has,  the 


SECRET   SINS  OF   SOCIETY.  329 

Qualities  that  Provoke  Desire— Honesty  and  Dignity. 

more  slie  is  attracted  to  men  of  strong  passion.  A 
woman  likes  that  quality  in  man  that  promotes  de- 
sire in  her.  This  is  nature  ;  this  is  right,  and  the 
great  law  of  natural  selection  has  implanted  these  in- 
stincts in  the  human  mind  to  better  enable  mankind 
to  develop  in  an  ascending  line,  rather  than  in  a  line 
of  retrogression. 

All  refined  ladies  prefer  men  of  culture,  no  odds 
what  the  occupation  maj  be;  they  can  put  up  with 
hardship,  poverty,  anything,  everything  if  the  hus- 
band is  seeking  intellectual  advancement,  while  strug- 
gling along  in  some  menial  occupation. 

Most  women  dream  and  talk  of  a  rich  husband,  and 
declare  up  and  down  that  they  will  never  marry  a 
man  to  support,  yet  let  the  man  appear  who  favorably 
impresses  a  woman,  and  all  her  past  resolution  goes 
for  nought.  The  man  may  have  a  hundred  faults— she  is 
blind  to  them  all.  He  may  be  poorer  than  a  "  church 
mouse,"  she  cares  not  a  whit  for  his  poverty,  but 
boldly  starts  life  in  a  cottage,  if  needs  be,  and  hopes 
for  a  "  brown  stone  front  -'  away  off  in  the  misty  fu- 
ture, when  their  "  ship  comes  in." 

Women  love  purity,  honesty,  dignity,  culture,  re- 
finement,  education,  temperance,  and  virtue,  in  the 


330  SECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Frenzied  Attack. 

abstract,  and  if  possible  would  seek  these  virtues  in 
their  future  husbands.  But  let  her  blinded  love  once 
fix  itself  on  a  man,  and  one,  two,  three,  or  all  these  re- 
quirements will  be  cast  aside  rather  than  thwart  her 
love.  These  are  the  love-matches  that  culminate  in 
elopements,  often  with  very  improper  persons.  A 
governor's  daughter  marries  her  father's  coachman. 
An  heiress  marries  a  blacksmith.  A  school  mistress 
of  thirty-six  marries  a  scholar  of  hers,  a  boy  of  eight- 
een. A  beautiful  wife  of  a  rich  Illinois  stock-dealer 
leaves  husband  and  children,  and  runs  away  with  a 
mulatto  farm-hand.  An  educated  and  refined  daugh- 
ter of  a  minister  elopes  and  marries  a  negro.  A 
widow  of  sixty-five,  with  a  grown  family,  marries  a 
dwarf  of  twenty-two;  and  so  we  might  go 'on  adin- 
Jlnitum,  to  show  that  love  is  blind,  mad,  reckless,  and 
can  never  be  depended  on  unless  guided  by  well-de- 
fined resolutions,  matured  fully,  before  a  frenzied  at- 
tack of  love. 

The  unsuitable  matches  named  above  are  of  that 
class  that  give  us  our  saddest  lessons  of  sorrow,  hard- 
ship, poverty,  drunkenness,  desertion,  divorce,  and 
squalid  death.  Heaven  help  the  girl  or  woman  who 
allows  her  love  to  drown  her  judgment,  for  a  step  ta- 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  331 

Eepentance. 

ken  in  haste  may  be  repented  in  sackcloth  and  ashes 
during  the  remainder  of  her  life. 

Sisters,  daughters,  women — be  careful  how  you  waste 
your  lives  on  unworthy  men.  Set  your  ideal  standard 
high,  and  make  the  men  live  up  to  it,  or  forever  re- 
fuse them  your  hearts  and  hands  and  lives. 


\^,o, 


SlXr.KT    SINS    OF    COCIETY, 


Captiv<iting  Qualitii-s  of  Manliness. 


PAET  XXYI. 

THE  FASCINATING  QUALITIES  OF  MAN  AND  WOMAN. 

"IllUCH  has  been  said  about  the  art  of  winning  the 
■^  -*-     affections  of  any  particular  man  or  woman. 

Knowledge  of  human  nature  and  the  possession  of 
good  mile  and  female  attributes,  are  essential  to  se- 
curing tliese  desires.  To  win  the  heart  of  a  brilliant 
woman  is  the  greatest  achievement  of  man; — nothing 
equals  it.  To  win  the  affections  of  a  superbly  mag- 
nificent man  is  the  great  desire  of  woman,  and  when 
she  has  accomplished  it  she  feels  that  her  cup  of  hap- 
piness is  full.  Manliness  is  the  quality  that  wins 
woman  over  to  man.  Womanliness  is  the  quality  that 
wins  man  over  to  woman.  The  knowledge  of  man- 
hood reveals  to  woman  the  natural  relation  she  sus- 
tains toman;  how  she  should  demean  herself  toward 
him,  and  how  to  captivate  any  particular  one  she 
wishes.     What  is  more  precious  to  a  woman  than  the 


sp:cket  sins  of  society. 


The  Elements  of  Manhood  and  Womanhood. 


faculty  of  agreeableness,  whereby  she  makes  the  man 
she  admires  her  devoted  protector  ? 

The  elements  of  manhood  teaches  woman  how  to 
maintain  the  dignity  of  her  position.  What  is  said 
of  manhood  is  applicable  to  womanhood.  The  laws 
of  male  and  female  attraction  are  as  well  defined  as 
any  of  natm*e's  laws;  learn  to  obey  them  if  you  wish 
to  enjoy  one  of  life's  blessings. 

Manly  treatment  of  women  secures  the  blessings 
of  love.  One  of  the  distingushing  traits  of  our  times 
is  the  respect  shown  to  woman.  A  true  gentleman 
is  always  distinguished  by  his  respectful  attention  to 
woman.  He  never  utters  a  word  concerning  the  sex 
which  Ills  own  mother  would  blush  to  hear,  and  he 
never  willingly  listens  to  anything  that  an  honorable 
man  would  be  ashamed  to  repeat.  He  has  no  slights 
for  the  aged,  whose  eyes  are  dim  and  whose  hands  are 
weak.  No  rude  jests  escapes  his  lips  in  ridicule.  He 
feels  that  he  should  be  a  friend  of  those  who  are  weak 
and  helpless.  Sucli  a  man  gains  the  respect  and  es- 
teem of  all. 

Ladies  who  wish  to  gain  respect  and  esteem  should 
ict  the  true  lad_y  in  every  particular.  That  independ- 
ence which  asserts  itself  in  always  doing  right,  is  not 


33-i  SECRET    SIKS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Undesirable  Qualities  in  Woman. 

the  one  that  charms  the  opposite  sex.  Such  a  charac- 
ter is  not  the  one  that  wins  the  commendation,  much 
less,  admiration  and  respect.  Young  men  may  appear 
to  enjoy  the  company  of  such  a  one,  but  she  never  can 
be  regarded  with  that  high  esteem  which  arises  from 
confidence  in  her  modesty  and  reliance  upon  her  good 
sense. 

There  is  another  character,  which  is  cold,  dignified 
and  unsociable;  always  fearful  of  compromising  her 
reputation;  always  sensitive,  censorious  and  apt  to 
misinterpret  the  words  and  actions  of  others.  It  is 
difficult  to  determine  which  of  these  characters  is  the 
least  entitled  to  respect;  both  are  unlovely  and  un- 
womanly. 

In  proportion  to  the  display  of  manhood  and  wom- 
anhood will  be  the  interchange  of  love.  The  more 
manly  the  man,  the  more  womanly  the  woman,  the 
greater  power  and  capacity  to  enjoy.  Love  is  not 
a  matter  of  chance,  but  the  result  of  masculine  or 
feminine  attraction.  The  power  of  love  in  man  arises 
from  paternal  capacity,  as  likewise  in  woman  from 
maternal. 

All  attractions,  feelings  and  impulses  in  difierent 
individuals,  are  so  many  manifestations  of  the  great 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  335 

The  Power  of  Women  in  the  Social  Circle. 

law  of  life  operating  in  all.  To  select  a  genuine 
woman  for  a  wife,  man  should  be  able  to  understand 
womanly  qualities  at  first  sight.  "Woman,  too,  should 
have  this  discerning  faculty  by  which  to  tell  at  once 
who  is  worthy  of  her  love. 

Look  at  man's  power  over  woman  when  love  begins 
its  sway.  She  is  his  willing,  self-sacrificing  captive. 
So  is  woman's  power  over  man.  She  makes  him  her 
willing  slave.  The  power  of  woman  in  the  social 
circle  cannot  be  estimated.  Her  influence  is  felt 
everywhere,  but  the  plane  above  all  others  in  whicli 
she  shines  best,  is  in  the  home  circle.  It  is  here  that 
we  learn  to  know  her  best  and  to  love  her  most.  Let 
us  go  a  step  farther,  and  examine  the  married  relations. 
In  the  first  place,  we  will  take  man  just  as  he  is,  not 
as  he  ought  to  be.  The  wife  will  spend  nearly  two 
years  before  she  will  find  ont  all  his  weaknesses.  If 
she  will  study  and  remember  these  weaknesses,  the 
secret  is  hers.  Is  he  fond  of  a  good  dinner?  Let  her 
tighten  the  mesh  around  him  with  fragrant  coffee, 
light  bread  and  good  things  generally,  and  reach  his 
heart  through  his  stomach.  Is  he  fond  of  flattery?  If 
so,  let  her  study  the  dictionary  for  sweet  words,  if  her 
supply  gives  out.     Flattery  is  a  good  thing  to  study 


386  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Man's  Peculiarities. 

up  at  all  hazards,  in  its  various  shades,  but  it  must 
be  done  skillfully.  Is  he  fond  of  beauty?  Here's 
the  rub;  let  her  be  bright  and  tidy;  that  is  half  of  the 
battle.  A  husband  who  sees  his  wife  look  like  other 
people  is  not  going  to  consider  her  "  broken  down," 
Though  it  is  a  common  sneer  that  a  woman  has  ad- 
mitted that  her  sex  considers  more,  in  marrying,  the 
tastes  of  her  friends  than  her  own,  yet  it  must  not  be 
considered  ludicrous  that  a  man  looks  at  his  wife  with 
the  same  ejes  that  other  people  do.  Is  he  fond  of 
literary  matters?  Listen  to  him  with  wide  open  eyes 
when  he  talks  of  tliem, 

A  man  does  n  *t  care  so  much  for  a  literary  wife  if 
she  only  be  literary  enough  to  appreciate  liim. 

Men  love  to  be  big  and  great  to  their  wives.  That 's 
the  reason  why  a  helpless  little  woman  can  marry 
three  times,  to  a  sensible,  self-reliant  woman's  none. 
Is  he  curious?  Oh!  then,  you  have  a  treasure;  you 
can  always  keep  him  if  you  have  a  secret,  and  only 
keep  it  carefully.  "  Is  he  jealous  ?  Then,  woman",  this 
is  not  for  you;  cease  rending;  cease  torturing  that 
fretted  heart  which  wants  you  for  his  own,  and  teach 
him  confidence.  Is  he  ugly  in  temper  and  fault-find- 
ing?    Give  him  a  dose  of  his  own  medicine,  skillfully 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  337 

How  to  Keep  a  Husband — His  Delusion. 

done.  Is  lie  deceitful?  Pity  him  for  his  weakness. 
Treat  him  as  one  who  was  born  with  a  physical  defect. 

!N ever  let  yourself  become  an  old  story;  be  just  a 
little  uncertain.  Another  important  fact  is,  don't  be 
too  good;  it  hurts  his  feelings  and  becomes  monoto- 
nous. These  rules  are  given  to  keep  a  husband.  It 
is  easy  enough  to  win  a  husband.  Most  any  attrac- 
tive little  woman  witli  a  bright  eye  and  coaxing 
voice  can  gatlier  in  a  noble  husband,  but  it  is  pretty 
difficult  to  retain  him.  There  are  plenty  of  noble 
husbands,  but  the  great  difficulty  is  to  draw  out  their 
true  nobility  and  secure  it  at  home.  Most  men  like 
to  be  loved  and  soothed. 

There  is  something  in  man's  great,  rough,  earnest 
nature,  that  can  be  won  quicker  and  easier  with  gen- 
tleness, than  in  any  other  manner. 

We  have  seen  a  young  girl  who  understood  human 
nature,  take  a  rough,  lieadstrong  man,  and  lead  him 
through  life  in  such  a  way  that  he  would  n't  know, 
but  what  he  controlled  the  whole  family,  so  perfect 
was  the  delusion. 

This  magic  power  of  a  devoted  wife  over  her  hus- 
band, is  wonderful.  This  is  the  kind  of  wife  any  hus- 
band ought  to  be  proud  of.  Each  should  defer  to  the 
other's  comfort,  convenience,  and  tastes. 


338  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Attraction  of  the  Sexes— When  Man  ought  to  be  Happy. 

That  man  ought  to  be  happy,  and  be  will  be,  if  he 
has  the  elements  of  manhood,  who  has  a  gentle,  kind, 
devoted  wife,  whose  confidence  in  his  safegnard;  and 
thrice  happ)'-  the  woman  who  can  command  the  affec- 
tions of  an  honorable  and  virtuous  man. 

All  attractions,  feelings,  impulses,  in  individuals,  are 
so  many  phrases  or  degrees  of  manifestations,  of  the 
great  law  of  life  operating  in  all.  One  man  may  be 
attracted  by  a  certain  woman,  and  repelled  by  anoth- 
er. The  one  that  repels,  may  attract  some  other 
man,  and  likewise  men  may  attract  women. 

Men  and  women  love  each  other  in  proportion  to 
their  adaptation.  The  man  who  begins  to  elicit  a 
woman's  love,  can  by  acting  just  right,  make  her 
completely  infatuated  with  him;  and  the  woman,  who 
starts  a  man's  love,  can  do  jnst  as  she  pleases  with 
him,  while  she  acts  womanly.  Yonng  men  and 
young  women  should  take  notice  of  this  fact;  that 
manliness  and  womanliness  are  the  qualities  that  win 
in  their  intercourse  with  each  other. 

I^arrow  and  personal  love  is  always  dangerous  in 
comparison  with  broad  impersonal  love  of  humanity. 
It  is  dangerous  for  young  men  and  women  to  "fall  in 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  339 

The  Dignified  Plan. 

love  "  with  a  certain  one  of  tlie  opposite  sex  in  either 
case,  unless  tliej'  are  great  enough  to  love  their  spe- 
cies. A  person  who  has  no  love  or  regard  for  Imman- 
ity  in  general,  is  not  capable  of  loving  any  one  in  par- 
ticular. Tliere  must  be  a  general  love  as  well  as  a 
special  love,  and  without  the  former  there  can  be  no 
absolute  or  safe  foundation  for  the  latter. 

The  person  oblivious  of  his  duty  to  the  species  by 
way  of  a  careful  or  even  indifferent  regard  for  the 
common  safety  and  well-being,  is  one  above  all  others 
to  be  avoided.  The  moral  of  this  is — beware  of  small 
and  impure  loves. 

Men  and  women  should  be  properly  educated  on 
this  subject.  The  education  of  the  moral  faculties 
the  same  way  that  the  intellectual  faculties  are. 

True  courtship  should  be  conducted  on  a  dignified 
plan,  in  broad  daylight,  at  seasonable  hours,  in  the 
presence  of  friends,  at  the  sea-side,  at  the  picnic,  dur- 
ing the  balmy  summer  twilight — anywhere,  every- 
where except  in  the  darkened  and  secluded  parlor,  in 
the  dead  hours  of  night.  Tempt  not  yourselves  by 
too  much  seclusion  and  familiaritv.  Just  as  stronor 
and  good  persons  as  you  have  fallen  in  an  unguarded 
hour;  for  your  own  sakes  do  not  risk  too  much. 
Parents,  shield  your  daughter  during  her  courting  sea- 


340  BECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Act  Manly  and  Womanly. 

son.  Trust  no  man  too  far.  He  may  be  good  and 
noble,  and  virtuous,  but  he  is  human,  and  your  daugh- 
ter is  inexperienced.  She  may  escape  a  thousand 
temptations,  and  then  lose  self-control.  So  caution 
her  against  even  the  semblance  of  danger.  There  is 
no  sight  on  earth  more  beautiful  than  the  coy  but  pure 
approaches  of  a  budding  love;  the  peachy  blush  and 
the  drooping  eyelid  tells  it  all  to  a  careful  observer. 

Young  man,  you  need  not  seek  to  hide  your  ad- 
miration. Toung  woman,  you  have  nothing  to  be 
ashamed  of.  You  are  but  following  the  path  that  all 
mankind  have  trod  before  you.  Do  not  flirt.  Do  not 
assume  indifference.  Act  natural.  Act  manly  and 
womanly,  and  above  all  never  be  a  "  dog  in  the  man- 
ger." If  you  cannot  love  the  one  you  are  courting, 
step  aside  and  let  some  other  love  come  in. 

Young  lady,  do  not  be  too  abrupt  with  that  young 
man  because  he  is  a  little  awkward.  You  have  the 
advantage  of  the  sterner  sex  in  grace  and  suavity  by 
several  years.  He  will  polish  up  his  manners  in 
time,  never  fear.  If  his  head  is  "level,"  his  physical 
organism  perfect,  and  his  character  above  reproach,  he 
may  be  the  jewel  of  your  maturer  years,  if  you  are 
not  too  rash  and  impatient  with  his  idiosyncrasies. 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  341 


Woman's  Fickleness. 


PAKT  XXYII. 

INCONSTANCIES  OF  MEN  AND  WOMEN. 

"I/TAN  has  many  faults,  and  he  generous] j  shares 
them  with  woman,  giving  her  often  what  she 
does  not  deserve  for  that  which  naturally  belongs  to 
her.  The  earliest  glimpse  of  self-knowledge  must  dis- 
close to  man  his  tendency  to  inconstancy;  and  later 
observations  must  convince  him  that  this  tendency  is 
seldom  combatted  as  it  should  be.  The  consciousness 
of  his  weakness  makes  him  try  to  conceal  that  which 
he  will  not  control.  With  that  end  in  view  he  pro- 
claims to  the  world  that  the  sufferers  are  the  origina- 
tors — that  he,  the  wronger,  is  the  wronged. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  world  woman  has  been 
linked  with  fickleness.  The  pages  of  her  history  have 
been  indelibly  inscribed  with  the  seal  of  instability, 
and  is  recognized  in  all  nations  as  being  one  of  the  in- 
consistent beings  of  nature.     Similes  have  been  worn 


34:2  8ECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Charge  of  Inconstancy— Mau's  own  Work. 

threadbare  to  her  discredit;  the  springs  of  metaphor 
drained  to  dishonor  her  fealty. 

The  poets  have  exalted  woman  to  a  fame  of  incon- 
stancy; they  have  defined  her  so  uniformly  and  in- 
cessantly that  their  rhymes  have  been  accepted  as  or- 
acles of  her  mystery.  "Woman  has  been  fed  upon  flat- 
tery so  long  that  it  is  not  strange  she  hungers  for  a 
more  substantial  diet,  whose  sauce  is  understanding 
and  appreciation. 

The  charge  of  woman's  inconstancy  has  never  been 
regarded  as  true  by  man,  but  he  has  repeated  it  so  of- 
ten that  he  has  actually  compelled  her  to  its  belief. 
She  does  not  understand  why  she  is  fickle,  yet  she  has 
not  the  boldness  to  dissent  from  what  she  hears  at 
every  turn.  Things  that  are  not  natural  to  her  she 
discovers  in  him — such  as  violated  pledges,  sundered 
ties,  and  lapses  from  loyalty.  Her  continual  looking 
through  his  eyes  [dwarfs  his  defects  and  exaggerates 
her  own.  He  is  her  counsellor  and  consort:  he  always 
puts  her  in  the  wrong,  and  graciously  pardons  her  for 
the  sin  he  has  committed.  Thinking  she  must  be  in 
error,  she  cannot  feel  her  fault;  and  so  between  in- 
struction and  instinct,  she  wonders  and  wonders,  in 
half  assurance  of  imagined  truth  and  reasoning  fancy. 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  343 

Man's  Ingeniousness — Hiding  his  Wrong  Doing. 

Woman  is  absolute  fixedness  to  fidelity  compared  to 
man.  Love  to  her  means  loyalitj'-,  engrossment,  dedi- 
cation. She  is  liable  to  deceive  herself;  she  is  far 
more  liable  to  be  deceived.  But  when  she  gives  with- 
out reserve  or  stint,  the  wealth  of  her  affections,  she 
plays  the  prodigal  to  the  last,  unless  his  conduct  stirs 
lier  to  count  the  cost.  The  law  of  her  being  is  not  to 
swerve  where  her  heart  leads  the  way,  nor  will  she, 
save  exceptionally.  Too  often,  however,  her  faithful 
heart  is  driven  back  by  him  who  summoned  it  from 
the  first — driven  back  by  neglect,  indifference,  rejec- 
tion; and  to  shield  himself,  he  calls  his  coldness 
or  his  cruelty  her  inconstancy.  He  is  ingenious  in 
hidino;  his  transofressions  and  advertisinor  her  ino^rati- 
tude  and  heartlessness.  In  twenty-four  cases  out  of 
twenty-five,  woman's  change  can  be  traced  directly  to 
sins  of  omission  or  commission  in  the  man.  Loyalty 
is  the  groove  in  which  temperament  has  placed  her, 
and  she  runs  smoothly  in  it  until  jolted  out  by  some 
social  convulsion.  Before  there  was  something  wrong 
in  her,  depend  upon  it  there  was  sometliing  wrong  in 
him.  When  she  loves,  she  is  sensitiveness  itself.  The 
lightest  glance,  the  slightest  word,  the  variation  of  a 
tone  may  make  or  mar  her  peace.     He   is  inclined  to 


344  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

His  Promiscuous  Gallantries. 

be  courteous,  to  gallantry;  lie  demands  it  as  his  right 
to  admire  the  sex;  he  considers  philandering  not  in- 
consistent with  marital  obligations. 

But  these  privileges  are  not  extended  to  his  part- 
ner. Of  ]\er  he  exacts  the  most  rigorous  forms.  She 
caanot  have  his  latitude,  of  course,  for  she  is  a 
woman  ;  a  mystic  and  elastic  phrase  she  can  never 
understand,  and  he  will  never  define.  His  variations 
from  the  one  to  another,  or  to  many,  his  pointed 
attentions,  his  promiscuous  gallantries  increase  and 
intensify  ;  and  if  smarting  under  the  slights  and 
swervings  of  years,  she  mildly  imitates  the  example 
set  before  her,  she  is  forsooth  as  fitful  as  the  sea. 
Loyalty  in  woman  is  not  the  result  of  education  or 
conventionality,  or  even  civilization,  as  all  States  or 
communities  will  attest.  She  is  more  or  less  suscep- 
tible,  passionate,  resentful,  whether  in  the  drawing- 
rooms  of  Chicago  or  in  the  hovels  of  !N"ew  Guinea. 

Explorers  have  found  in  the  female  among  the  sim- 
plest savages  the  true  traits  of  womanhood  when  her 
heart  was  touched.  The  love  of  woman  is  universal- 
ly for  one  man.  Even  though  degraded,  half  un- 
sexed,  outcast,  abandoned  to  despair,  she  inflexibly 
seeks  her  individual  alone.     The  soul  of  venal  incon- 


SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  345 

Woman  Dies  for  Love — Absorbed  by  one  Passion. 

tinence,  the  subversion  of  nature  by  circumstances, 
leaves  white  the  instinct  of  her  soul.  She  gropes 
after  her  diamond  in  heaps  of  muck. 

On  the  touch  of  defilement,  she  still  dreams  the 
dream  of  unsullied  love  ;  and  when  she  wakes  to  its 
fancied  realization,  her  tumultuous  joj  revives  her 
better  self.  Sunk  below  conventional  restraints,  she 
mounts  to  heroic  heights.  She  often  dies  for  love,  as 
spotless  maidens  have  died  to  live  forever  in  the  Pan 
theon  of  sentiment.  But  her  immolation,  scarcely 
noticed  save  by  the  coroner,  proves  the  perpetuity  of 
romance,  the  endlessness  of  woman's  devotion,  the 
golden  strand  in  the  common  cord  binds  us  unto  be- 
ing. If  it  is  thus  among  the  lowest  and  most  forlorn, 
it  is  easy  to  imagine  what  must  be  with  those  to 
whom  fortune  has  been  kind.  They  are  absorbed  by 
one  passion.  It  possesses  them  ;  they  are  possessed 
by  it.  They  have  no  room  for  other  aflSnities,  for 
smaller  affections,  for  sentimental  attachments,  as 
men  have,  even  in  the  hey-day  of  their  heartiness. 
The  flame  of  unmixed  love  burns  away  all  approaches  ; 
it  is  her  teacher,  developer,  and  guardian.  It  sheds 
light  upon  her  past,  as  well  as  her  future.  Seeing 
what  she  has  escaped,  she  learns  what  to  shun.     As 


346  SECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Woman  Blin  ded  wiih  Love. 

soon  as  the  one  is  revealed  to  her,  the  one  for  whom, 
from  her  first  unfolding,  she  has  unconsciously  been 
fair  and  fond,  no  skill  in  arithmetic  enables  her  to 
reckon  up  all  other  men  as  equal  to  her  chosen  unit ; 
"  he,  and  he  alone — he  now  and  forever,"  is  her  formu- 
la, and  "  I  shall  love  you  so  long  as  you  will  let  me." 
The  amatory  apocalypse  has  been  made. 

The  illumination  of  love  renders  the  woman  blind 
to  all  but  Mtti.  The  masculine  personal  pronoun  is 
singularly  restricted  in  her  judgment.  Passion  has 
curtailed  her  grammer  amazingly.  She  can  remem- 
ber one  number  only  (that  is  Greek).  She  can  con- 
jugate but  one  verb  in  the  present  tense  of  the  indic- 
itive  mood;  all  other  tenses  and  moods  she  deems  su- 
perfluous :  Man  loves  women.  He  frequently  con- 
fines himself  to  woman;  albeit  he  does  so  from  sense 
of  duty,  from  consideration  of  justice,  from  fear  of 
reprisal.  His  organization  renders  him  liberal  in  ex- 
cess of  his  afiections.  Imagining  himself  erosically  in 
debt  to  the  entire  sex,  he  is  tempted  to  seize  evei*y  oc- 
casion to  discharge  the  obligation.  The  coin  he  pays 
in  is  cheap  enough  in  the  beginning;  its  peculiarity 
is,  it  grows  dear  as  it  is  expended;  but  his  purse  is 
never  empty,  whatever  value  be  set  upon  his  pieces. 


6ECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  S47 

He  Loves  to  be  Loved— She  Loves  to  Love. 

It  is  hai'dl}'  safe  for  him  to  study  natural  history.  Not 
that  he  finds  so  many  lower  brothers  in  the  male  ani- 
mals, but  that  he  is  encouraged  to  imitate  them  more 
closely.  Condemning  the  beastliness  he  does  not  cov- 
et, he  upholds  the  beastliness  he  aflPects.  Love  has 
no  such  sacredness — is  incapable  of  such  exaltation 
with  man  as  it  has  and  is  with  woman.  To  him  it  is 
the  apanage  of  egotism;  it  is  flattered  vanity;  it  is 
selfishness  glossed  with  sentiment.  He  loves  to  be 
loved;  she  loves  to  love.  Henx;e,  thrown  together  un- 
der favorable  circumstances,  without  conspicuous  im- 
pediments, they  are  in  peril  of  gratification  as  the 
tinder  is  in  peril  from  contiguous  sparks.  Impressi- 
bility and  passiveness  are  in  him ;  impulse  and  activ- 
ity are  in  her.  He  analyzes  love — not  difficult  as  it 
exists  in  the  sterner  bosom — and  to  a  certain  extent, 
masters  it.  To  her,  it  is  the  one  thing  above  all  oth- 
ers that  defies  analysis;  and  she  yields  to  it  in  deli- 
cious abandonment.  Experience  has  made  him  wise 
in  the  emotions.  She  is  but  slightly  experienced,  if 
at  all;  and  were  she  thoroughly  so,  where  is  the  won- 
derful woman  to  whom  every  experience  is  not  a  new 
revealment,  a  startling  divination  ?  Romantic  pas- 
sion is  very  serious  with  her  at  all  times.     She  is  never 


348  SECPwET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Not  Trusted  too  Far. 

quite  prepared  for  it,  even  though  she  believes  her- 
self an  artist;  and  when  it  comes  to  her  early,  it  is 
fateful  often — formative  always.  Much  as  she  may 
wheedle  herself,  she  cannot  play  with  fire  without  be- 
ing scorched.  She  can  regulate  her  glances,  but  her 
blood  will  not  obey  her.  The  last  act  of  her  comedy 
may  turn  to  tragedy.  The  smiles  of  the  morning 
may  set  in  the  bitterest  tears.  All  about  her  oasis  of 
coquetry  lies  the  blistering  sand  of  desolation. 

Man  argues  that  woman  may  not  be  trusted  too 
far.  Woman  feels  man  cannot  be  trusted  too  near. 
All  she  says  he  knov/s.  All  she  knows  he  cannot 
guess.  He  is  delighted  with  her;  she  wonders  at  him. 
She  is  the  open  page  of  romance;  he  the  last  of  the 
Sibylline  boohs.  He  is  to  her  on  vantage  ground. 
Behind  her,  mask  as  she  may,  is  a  flood  of  light. 
There  may  be  equality  of  sex — can  there  ever  be 
equality  of  situation?  She  fights  unhelmeted;  he  witli 
visor  down.  Ere  the  battle  has  begun  he  has  won  it 
half  by  his  understanding  of  her  tactics;  and  the  other 
half  slie  loses  through  his  imposing  feints.  Scarcely 
any  woman  can  absorb  a  man.  He  is  truant  almost 
always.  She  who  would  keep  him  must  stay  near, 
watch  close;  even  then  his  thoughts  may  wander. 


SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  349 


Keeping  up  Appearances. 


PAET  XXYIII. 

HINTS  TO  WOMEN. 

One  potent  cause  of  invalidism  in  our  women  is  that 
of  keeping  up  appearances,  which  infects  every  class 
of  society.  In  other  countries,  where  the  wall  of  ex- 
clusiveness  is  insurmountable,  each  class  accepts  the 
situation,  and  lives  and  moves  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements  of  its  station  in  life.  Here  every  one 
feels,  or  tries  to  feel,  "  as  good  as  one's  neighbor";  but 
this  feeling  of  equality,  in  one  sense  a  virtue,  is  sucli 
no  longer  when  the  poor  ape  the  extravagances  of  the 
rich.  The  man  asserts  his  equality  by  his  ballot;  the 
woman  by  her  needle.  In  the  one  this  self-assertion  is 
a  periodic  explosion,  and  he  feels  better  for  it.  In  the 
woman  it  is  a  life-long,  heart- wearing  struggle.  Hence 
that  endless  cutting,  and  basting,  and  turning;  that 
oerpetual  needle-plying,  which  is  the  canker  of  so  many 
of  our  households.     Our  very  servants  catch  the  folly, 


350  SECEET    SINS    OE   SOCIETY. 

How  Ambitious  Mothers  Break  Do\tii. 

and  spend  all  their  wages  and  all  their  leisure  in  vieing 
with  the  toilets  of  their  mistresses.  By  this  foolish 
rivalry  the  mothers  and  daughters  of  this  land  destroy 
the  little  health  that  a  false  system  of  education  has 
left  them. 

What  physician  is  there  who  has  not  seen  ambitious 
mothers  break  down  under  the  burden  ;  or  who  does 
not  expect  some  of  his  patients  to  be  at  least  laid  up 
by  their  spring  and  autumn  dress-making?  One  word 
about  the  sewing-machine.  "While  we  do  not  believe  all 
that  is  laid  to  its  charge,  yet  its  treadle-motion  does 
undoubtedly  lead  to  pelvic  and  portal  congestions. 
We  have  become  convinced  that  no  woman  who  op- 
erates on  this  machine  as  a  trade  can  long  escape  from 
some  uterine  derangement.  Even  its  family  use  is 
not  unattended  with  risk,  because,  although  intermit- 
tent, it  is  liable  to  be  too  prolonged.  Were  not  the  sub- 
ject already  too  hackneyed,  we  might  enlarge,  as  other 
causes  of  ill-health,  upon  late  hours  and  social  dissi- 
pations; upon  that  false  and  restless  philanthropy 
which  neglects  home,  and  upon  that  unhappy  discon- 
tent which  forgets  that  to  be  loved  one  must  be  lovable. 

"Woman  shines  best  and  thrives  best,  not  in  the  ad- 
ulation of  society,  not  in  obtrusive  self-assertion,  but 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  351 

The  Banishment  of  the  Corset. 

ill  the  quiet  and  faithful  performance  of  her  home  du- 
ties. The  heat  and  stir  of  life  is  food  for  man's  more 
ragged  nature.  The  wholesome  passages  of  her  life 
are  those  which,  like  the  thesis  of  a  symphony,  are 
unpercussed  and  unaccented. 

The  banishment  of  the  corset  from  the  waists  of 
those  who  have  attained  to  years  of  discretion,  would 
be  a  great  boon  to  the  sex  ;  but  the  profession  is  pow- 
erless against  the  Moloch  of  fashion. 

Their  disinterested  warnings  in  that  direction  are 
like  throes  of  Cassandra,  trutliful  but  unheeded.  The 
family  physician  can,  however,  do  the  next  best  thing, 
and  that  with  some  show  of  success.  lie  can  solemnly 
adjure  the  tightly-harnessed  mothers  of  the  land  not 
to  allow  their  growing  and  romping  daughters  to  put 
on  the  maternal  armor.  He  can  earnestly  plead  for 
the  support  of  their  underclothing  by  the  use  of  shoul- 
der-straps or  of  "  skirt-supporters."  This  advice  is 
not  untimely,  for  we  are  assured  on  the  good  authority 
of  a  fasliionable  corset-maker,  that  even  the  school  girl 
of  the  period  has  an  ideal  waist — a  waist  to  which  she 
squeezes,  and  laces,  and  tortures  herself  down,  for  the 
simple  reason  that  it  is  always  more  slender  than  her 
own. 


352  SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Causes  of  Pale  and  Flat-chested  Women. 

Too  much  brain-work,  too  little  housework,  is 
another  crying  evil  of  our  land.  Precocious  clever- 
ness is  attainable  only  at  the  cost  of  physical  and  sex- 
ual development.  Manifold  diseases,  many  of  them 
of  a  uterine  complexion,  date  from  the  recitation 
room.  Under  the  high  pressure  system  of  our  public 
schools,  even  a  class  which  ought  to  live  by  manual 
labor  is  made  uniit  for  it.  Hence  an  inability  to  work 
attaches  degradation  to  domestic  labor,  and  town  and 
city  teem,  therefore,  with  pale-faced  and  flat-chested 
women,  who  seem  to  have  no  other  hold  on  life  than 
a  capacity  for  momentary  enthusiasm — no  other  aim  in 
life  than  the  absolute  ^Nothing,  Kirvana,  of  tlie  Budd- 
hist. 

Our  great-grandmothers  got  their  schooling  during 
the  winter  months,  and  let  their  brain  lie  fallow  for 
the  rest  of  the  year.  They  knew  less  about  Euclid  and 
the  Classics  than  tliey  did  about  housekeeping  and 
housework.  But  they  made  good  wives  and  mothers, 
and  bore  and  nursed  sturdy  sons  and  buxom  daugh- 
ters, and  plenty  of  them  at  that. 

From  the  age  of  eight  to  that  of  sixteen,  our 
daughters  spend  most  of  their  time  either  in  the  un- 
wholesome air  of  the  recitation-room,  or  in  poring 
over  their  books  when  they  should  be  at  play. 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  353 

Concealing  a  Lack  of  Needful  Organs. 

•  As  a  result,  the  chief  skill  of  the  milliner  seems  to 
be  directed  towards  concealing  the  lack  of  organs 
needful  alike  to  beauty  and  to  maternity,  and  the  girl 
of  to-day  becomes  the  barren  wife  or  the  invalid 
mother  of  to-morrow. 

Surely  a  civilization  that  stunts,  deforms  and  en- 
feebles, must  be  unsound.  To  reform  tliese  abases, 
to  reclaim  woman  to  womanhood,  to  make  wives  hel'p- 
tnates  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  is  then  one  great 
mission  of  the  physician,  a  mission  which  he  must 
cheerfully  and  dutifully  accept. 

Marcus  Aurelius,  St.  Augustine,  and  other  great 
and  noble  men,  wrote  with  tender  affection  of  what 
the}'  owed  to  a  mother's  love,  to  a  mother's  care. 

If  that  imponderable  essence,  the  mind,  can  be 
moulded  and  shaped  by  a  mother's  head,  why  not  the 
body?  Why  should  not  the  culture  of  the  one  be  as 
m  uch  an  object  of  maternal  solicitude  as  the  culture 
of  the  other?  To  preserve,  then,  the  priceless  gem  of 
health,  let  the  physician  teach  mothers  how  to  pre- 
side over  the  physical  education  of  their  daughters, 
how  to  pilot  their  frail  bodies  safely  through  the 
shoals  and  quicksands  of  girlhood ;  for  at  this  time  of 
life  an  ounce  of  mother  is  worth  a  pound  of  doctor. 
23 


354  SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY, 

Physical  Education  of  our  Daughters— Exercise  during  Monthly  Sickness. 

To  this  end  i^irls  should  be  early  made  to  throw  back 
their  shoulders,  to  maintain  an  erect  carriage  and  to 
M-alk  with  toes  pointed  outward.  This  attitude  puts  in- 
to action  muscles  which  increase  the  obliquity  of  the 
pelvis  to  tlie  trunk  and  consequently  lessens  the  down- 
ward pressure  of  the  abdominal  viscera  upon  the  pel- 
vic organs.  Their  clothing  should  be  thick  and  warm, 
and  supported  by  shoulder  straps;  their  shoes  stout 
and  roomy;  their  brains  not  overtaxed.  Candies, 
doughnuts,  and  hot  biscuits  must  be  struck  out  from 
their  fare;  such  trash  has  made  our  dentists 
world  renowned.  Habits  of  regularity  in  sleep,  as 
well  as  in  the  evacuations,  should  be  scrupulously  en- 
forced. 

Over-work  in  a  constrained  posture,  especially  that 
at  the  sewing  machine,  must  be  forbidden.  Let  them 
d  :ily  take  sunshine  and  exercise  in  the  open  air;  but 
on  the  other  hand,  let  them,  during  their  monthly 
sickness,  avoid  picnics,  sleigh  rides,  dancing  parties, 
and  other  like  imprudences.  The  risk  from  suppres- 
sion should  be  vividly  pointed  out,  else  they  could 
hardly  be  persuaded  to  forego  pleasures  which  are  at 
such  times,  fruitful  sources  of  mischief. 

Mothers  should,  therefore,  diligently  supervise  the 


SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  •  355 

Literature  that  Inflames  the  Passions. 

catameuial  week  of  their  daughters,  and  at  the  time 
forbid  all  over- work  of  brain  and  bodj.  Would  that 
women  could  be  taught  to  look  upon  the  law  of  peri- 
odicity in  their  nature,  not  as  an  affront  to  woman- 
hood, not  as  the  mark  of  a  curse,  but  as  a  dower  of 
health  and  beauty  if  respected;  as  the  leaven,  of  life- 
long invalidism  when  abused. 

Let  mothers  select  the  books  which  their  daughters 
read.  None  of  the  namby-pamby  trash  of  our  circu- 
lating libraries,  none  of  tlie  prurient  literature  of  the 
day,  should  cross  the  threshold  of  a  well-ordered 
home.  It  heats  the  blood;  it  inflames  the  passions; 
it  goads  into  precocious  pubescence;  it  throws  a  halo 
of  false  and  sickly  sentiment  around  the  day-dreams 
of  youth.  Let  mothers  themselves  be  implored 
neither  to  buy  nor  to  borrow  those  vile  pamphlets 
which  flood  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  land;  a 
literature  which,  while  professing  in  good  faith  to 
treat  of  the  conjugal  relations,  covertly  panders  to  our 
worst  instincts,  and  defiles  with  the  slime  of  an  im- 
pure fancy. 


356  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


A  Fashionable  Woman's  Habits. 


PAET  XXIX. 

WOMA.N'S  FOLLIES. 

A  MONG  the  many  odd  products  of  a  mature  clvil- 
ization  the  fasliionable  woman  is  one  of  the 
oddest.  She  goes  to  bed  at  dawn,  and  does  not  at- 
tempt to  rise  till  about  noon.  For  the  most  part  she 
breakfasts  in  bed,  and  then  amuses  herself  with  a 
cursory  glance  at  the  morning  paper,  if  she  has  suflB- 
cient  energy  for  so  great  a  mental  exertion;  if  she  has 
not,  she  lies  for  another  hour  or  two  in  that  half-slum- 
berous state  which  is  so  destructive  to  mind  and  body, 
weakening  both  fiber  and  resolution,  both  muscle  and 
good  principle.  At  last  she  rises  languidly,  to  be 
dressed  in  time  for  luncheon,  and  her  visitors,  if  she 
receives  generally;  or  for  the  one  or  two  intimates,  if 
she  is  at  home  only  to  the  favored.  Somewhere 
about  four  she  dresses  again  for  her  drive — for  the 
first  part  of  the  day's  serious   business;   for  paying 


SECKET    SINS   OF    SOCIETT.  357 

Her  Peculiar  Case. 

visits  and  leaving  cards;  for  buying  jewelry  and 
dresses,  and  ordering  all  sorts  of  unnecessary  things 
at  lier  milliner's;  for  this  grand  lady's  afternoon  tea, 
and  that  grand  lady's  afternoon  at  home,  with  music; 
for  her  final  slow  parade  in  the  Park,  where  she  sees 
her  friends  as  in  an  open-air  drawing-room,  makes 
private  appointments,  and  carries  on  flirtations,  and 
hears  and  retails  gossip  and  scandal  of  a  fuller  flavor; 
then  home,  to  dress  again  for  dinner;  to  be  followed 
by  the  opera  or  a  concert,  a  soiree,  or  perhaps  a  ball 
or  two;  whence  she  returns  toward  morning,  flushed 
with  excitement  or  worn  out  with  fatigue,  feverish  or 
nervous,  as  she  has  had  pleasure  and  success,  or  disap- 
pointment and  annoj'ance. 

This  is  her  outside  life,  and  this  is  no  fancy  pic- 
ture and  no  exaggeration.  After  a  certain  time  of  such 
an  existence,  can  we  wonder  if  her  complexion  fades 
and  her  eyes  grow  dim  ?  and  if  that  inexpressible  air  of 
haggard  weariness  creeps  over  her,  which  ages  even  a 
young  girl,  and  makes  a  mature  woman  substantially 
an  old  one?  It  is  then  that  she  has  recourse  to  those 
foul  and  fatal  expedients  of  which  we  have  heard 
more  than  enough  in  these  latter  days.  She  will  not 
try  simplicity  of  living,  natural  hours,  wholesome  oc- 


358  BECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Her  Peculiar  Case. 

cupation,  unselfish  endeavor,  but  rushes  off  for  help 
to  paints  and  cosmetics,  to  stimulants  and  drugs,  and 
attempts  to  restore  the  tarnished  freshness  of  her 
beauty  by  the  very  means  which  further  corrode  it. 

Every  now  and  then,  for  very  idleness,  she  feigns 
herself  sick,  and  has  the  favorite  physician  to  attend 
her.  In  fact,  the  funniest  thing  about  her  is  the  ease 
with  which  she  takes  to  her  bed  on  the  slightest  provo- 
cation, and  the  strange  pleasure  she  seems  to  find  in 
what  is  a  penance  to  most  women.  You  meet  her 
in  a  heated,  crowded,  noisy  room,  looking  just  as  she 
always  looks,  whatever  her  normal  state  of  health 
may  be;  and  in  answer  to  your  inquiries  she  tells  yon 
she  has  only  two  hours  ago  left  her  bed  to  come  here, 
having  been  confined  to  her  room  for  a  week,  or  so 
many  days,  with  Dr.  Blank  in  close  attendance.  If 
you  are  an  intimate  female  friend,  she  will  whisper 
you  the  name  of  her  malady,  which  is  sure  to  be  some- 
thing terrific,  and  which,  if  true,  would  have  kept  a 
real  invalid  for  weeks  instead  of  days;  but  if  you  are 
only  a  man,  she  will  make  herself  out  to  have  been 
very  ill  indeed  in  a  m  re  mysterious  way,  and  leave 
you  to  wonder  at  the  extraordinary  physique  of  fash- 
ionable women,   which  enables    them  to  live  on  the 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  359 

Physical  Effects  of  such  a  Life. 

most  friendly  touch-and  go  terms  with  death,  and  to 
evercome  mortal  maladies  by  an  effort  of  the  will  and 
the  delights  of  a  ducal  ball. 

The  physical  effects  of  such  a  life  as  this  are  as  bad 
as  the  mental,  and  both  are  as  bad  as  bad  can  be.  A 
feverish,  overstrained  condition  of  health  either  pre- 
vents the  fashionable  woman  from  being  a  mother  at 
all,  or  makes  her  the  mother  of  nervous,  sickly  chil- 
dren. Many  a  woman  of  high  rank  is  at  this  moment 
paying  bitterly  for  the  disappointment  of  which  she 
herself,  in  her  illimitable  folly,  has  been  and  is  the 
sole  and  only  cause.  And,  whether  women  like  to 
hear  it  or  not,  it  is  none  the  less  a  truth,  that  part  of 
the  reason  for  their  being  born  at  all  is  that  they  may 
in  their  turn  bear  children.  The  unnatural  feeling 
against  maternity  existing  among  fashionable  women, 
is  one  of  the  worst  mental  signs  of  their  state,  as  their 
frequent  inability  to  be  mothers  at  all  is  one  of  the 
worst  physical  results.  This  is  a  condition  of  things 
which  no  false  modesty  or  timid  reserve  should  keep 
in  the  background,  for  it  is  a  question  of  national  im- 
portance, and  will  soon  become  one  of  national  disaster, 
unless  checked  by  a  healthier  current  and  more  natural 
circumstances. 


360  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Her  Pastime  and  Neglect  of  Family. 

Dress,  dissipation,  and  flirting,  make  np  the  ques- 
tionable lines  whicli  inclose  the  life  of  the  fashiona- 
ble woman,  and  whicli  inclose  nothing  useful,  noth- 
ing good,  nothing  deep,  or  true,  or  holy.  Her  piety 
is  a  pastime;  her  art  the  poorest  pretense;  her  pleas- 
ure consists  only  in  hurry  and  excitement,  alternating 
with  debasing  sloth,  in  heartless  coquetry,  or  in  law- 
less indulgence,  as  nature  made  her  more  vain  or  more 
sensual.  As  a  wife  she  fulfills  no  wifely  duty  in  any 
grand  or  loving  sense,  for  the  most  part  regarding  her 
husband  only  as  a  banker  or  an  adjunct,  according  to 
the  terms  of  her  marriage  settlement;  as  a  mother  she 
is  a  stranger  to  her  children,  to  whom  nurse  and  gov- 
erness supply  her  place,  and  give  such  poor  makeshift 
for  maternal  love  as  they  are  enabled  or  inclined.  In 
no  domestic  relation  is  she  of  the  smallest  value,  and 
of  none  in  any  social  circumstance  besides  the  mere 
adorning  of  a  room — if  she  is  pretty — and  the  help 
she  gives  to  trade  through  her  expenditure.  She  lives 
only  in  the  gaslight,  and  her  nature  at  last  becomes  as 
artificial  as  her  habits. 

As  years  go  on,  and  she  changes  from  the  acknowl- 
edged belle  to  the  femme  passde,  she  goes  through  a 
period  of  frantic  endeavor   to  retain  her   youth;  and 


SECKET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  361 

Infirmities  she  attempts  to  Conceal. 

even  when  time  has  clutclied  her  with  too  firm  a  hand 
to  be  shaken  oiF,  and  she  begins  to  feel  the  infirmities 
which  she  still  puts  out  all  her  strength  to  conceal, 
even  then  she  grasps  at  the  departing  shadow,  and 
fresh  daubs  the  crumbling  ruin,  in  the  belief  that  the 
world's  eyes  are  dim,  and  that  stucco  may  pass  for 
marble  for  another  year  or  two  longer.  Or  she  becomes 
a  Belgravian  mother,  with  daughters  to  sell  to  the 
highest  bidder;  and  then  the  aim  of  her  life  is  to  se- 
cure the  purchaser.  Her  daughters  are  never  objects 
of  real  love  with  the  fashionable  woman.  They  are 
essentially  her  rivals,  and  the  idea  of  carrying  on  her 
life  in  theirs,  of  forgetting  herself  in  them,  occurs  to 
her  only  as  a  forecast  of  death.  Even  from  her  sons 
she  shrinks,  rather  than  not,  as  living  evidences  of  the 
lapse  of  time  which  she  cannot  deny,  and  awkward  at 
fixing  dates;  and  there  is  not  a  home  presided  over  by 
a  fashionable  woman  where  the  family  is  more  than  a 
mere  name,  a  mere  social  convention  loosely  held  to- 
gether by  circumstances,  not  by  love. 

Closing  such  a  life  as  this  becomes  the  unhonored 
end,  when  the  miserable  made-up  old  creature  totters 
down  into  the  grave,  where  paint  and  padding,  and 
glossy  plaits  cut  from  some  fresh  young  head,  are  of 


362  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

A  Life  of  Nothingness. 

no  more  avail;  and  where  death,  which  makes  all 
things  real,  reduces  her  life  of  lies  to  the  nothingness 
it  has  been  from  the  beginning.  "What  does  she  leave 
behind  her?  A  memory  by  which  her  children  may 
order  their  own  lives,  in  proud  assurance  that  so  they 
will  order  them  best  for  virtue  and  for  honor?  Or  a 
memory  which  speaks  to  them  of  time  missed,  of  du- 
ties unfulfilled,  of  love  discarded  for  pleasure,  and  of 
a  life-long  sacrifice  of  all  things  good  and  pure  for  sel- 
fishness? "We  all  know  examples  of  the  worldly  old 
woman  clinging  to  the  last,  bat-like,  to  the  old  roofs 
and  rafters;  and  we  all  know  how  heartily  we  despise 
her,  and  how  we  ridicule  her  in  our  hearts,  if  not  by 
oiu'  words.  If  the  reigning  queens  of  fashion,  at  pres- 
ent young  and  beautiful,  would  but  remember  that 
they  are  only  that  worldly  old  woman  in  embryo,  and 
that  in  a  very  few  years  they  will  be  her  exact  like- 
ness, unhappily  repeated  for  the  scorn  of  the  world 
once  more  to  follow  ! 

This  is  a  time  of  extraordinary  wealth,  and  of  cor- 
responding extraordinary  luxury,  of  unparalleled  rest- 
lessness, which  is  not  the  same  thing  as  activity  or 
energy,  but  which  disdains  all  quiet,  all  repose,  as 
unendurable  stagnation;  hence  the  fashionable  woman 


8ECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  3C3 

Her  Heartlessness  and  Self-indulgence. 

of  the  day  is  one  of  extremes  in  her  own  line  also, 
and  the  idleness,  the  heartlessness,  the  self-indulgence 
the  want  of  high  morality,  and  the  insolent  luxury,  at 
all  times  characteristic  of  her,  were  never  seen  dis- 
played with  more  cynical  effrontery  than  at  present 
and  never  called  for  more  severe  condemnation.  The 
fashionable  women  of  Greece  and  Kome,  and  of  the 
age  of  Louis  XIY,  have  left  behind  them  names  wliich 
the  world  has  made  typical  of  the  vices  naturally  en- 
gendered by  idleness  and  luxury.  But  do  we  wish 
that  our  women  should  become  subjects  for  an  English 
Juvenal?  and  that  fashion  should  create  a  race  of 
Laises  and  Phrynes  out  of  the  stock  which  once  gave 
us  Lucy  Hutchinson  and  Elizabeth  Fry  ? 

Once  the  name  of  Englishwoman  carried  with  it  a 
grave  and  noble  echo,  as  the  name  of  women  known 
for  their  gentle  bearing  and  their  blameless  honor — 
of  women  who  loved  their  busbands,  and  brought  up 
about  their  own  knees  the  children  they  were  not  re- 
luctant to  bear,  and  not  ashamed  to  love.  Now,  it  too 
often  means  a  girl  of  the  period,  a  frisky  matron,  a 
fashionable  woman,  a  thing  of  nothing  but  paints  and 
pads,  of  artifice  and  deception. 


364  SECKET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


Women  as  Magnets. 


PAKT  XXX. 

MAGNETISM  OF  MEN  AND  WOMEN. 

T  EFT  to  herself,  removed  from  extraneous  influen- 
ces,  she  invariably  points  to  the  poles — the  poles 
of  her  being — good,  and  beauty.  Frequently  she  has 
polarity^  too,  attracting  some  persons  and  repelling 
others;  not  seldom  attracting  and  repelling  the  same 
persons  at  different  times — simultaneously,  even. 

It  is  not  strange  that  attraction  should  be  accom- 
panied by  a  certain  degree  of  repulsion,  since  that 
which  draws  nineteen  may  drive  away  the  twentieth. 
Besides,  we  are  so  hampered  with  caprice  and  con- 
trariety that  the  quality  that  wins  to-day  may  lose  to- 
morrow; that  the  pleasure  of  the  morning  may  not  be 
welcome  at  night.  Consistency  we  demand  of  our 
fellow,  not  the  less  vehemently  because  we  can  lay  no 
claim  to  it  ourselves;  our  privilges  are  within.  In  the 
intellectual  as  in  the  physical  world,  there  are  natural 
and  artificial  magnets. . 


SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  365 

Circle  of  Human  Magnetism. 

Most  women  are  the  artificial;  gaining  by  culture 
adaptation,  training,  imitation,  a  portion  of  what  a 
few  women — the  natural  magnets — have  by  inherit- 
ance. Magnetism  may  be  communicated  by  contact, 
either  material  or  social,  and  it  often  is  without  in- 
tention or  volition.  Unless  there  be  organic  opposi- 
tion, a  really  magnetic  woman  may  impart  something 
of  her  power  to  her  intimates,  easily  when  their  sym- 
pathy is  so  complete  and  active  as  to  beget  homo- 
geneity. Human  magnetism  moves  in  circles,  re- 
turning in  added  force  to  its  point  of  emanation  while 
youth  and  vigor  last. 

Fitness  dwells  in  this;  for  a  circle  is  the  form  of 
grace,  the  symbol  of  continuity,  and  magnetism  is 
compulsion  fairly  cloaked  as  the  continuity  of  grace. 
Man  catches  not  a  little  of  his  magnetism,  when  not 
inherent,  from  his  feminine  associates.  He  is  moulded,, 
refined,  rounded  by  them  through  the  influence  of  that 
pervading  property.  He  is  rarely  amiable  or  inter- 
esting who  is  unaccustomed  to  the  society  of  women. 
She  can  convert  clownishness  into  complaisance,  sel- 
fishness into  benevolence,  so  serenely  and  skillfully 
that  he  hardly  knows  he  has  been  translated.  Her 
magnetism  daily  performs  miracles,  which,  from  their 
commonness,  get  no  credit. 


Z6Q  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman  Furnishing  the  Weapons  to  Betray  her. 

Half  the  success  of  man  with  man  he  owes  to  the 
lessons  woman  has  taught  him,  and,  by  a  strange  per- 
version of  justice,  bj  a  malignant  violation  of  grati- 
tude, most  of  his  success  with  woman  likewise.  That 
fihe  should  give  into  his  hands  the  weapons  he  turns 
against  her,  and  instruct  him  in  their  most  effective 
use,  reveals  the  sarcasm  of  her  destmy.  In  the  ancient 
myth,  Aglaid  procured  for  her  lover,  Sardyx,  the 
magic  javeline  that  never  missed  its  mark.  He  went 
to  war  followed  by  her  worship,  protected  by  the  gods 
she  hourly  invoked.  In  a  distant  province,  a  lovely 
maiden  who  had  become  his  captive,  captivated  him. 
The  struggle  over,  he  set  his  face  homeward,  his  new 
mistress  accompanying  him.  Within  a  few  miles  of 
his  native  city,  Aglaid,  hearing  of  the  returning  war- 
rior, hurried  forth  to  meet  her  hero.  She  opened  her 
arms  to  welcome  him,  and  received,  not  Sardyx,  but 
the  fatal  javeline  through  her  faithful  heart. 

Sex  makes  woman  magnetic  to  the  majority  of  men. 
They  do  not  discriminate  nicely,  nor  are  they  critical. 
To  them  a  woman  is  a  woman ;  she  is  delightful  when 
they  are  delighted  in  her;  she  is  charming  because 
they  are  charmed.  They  might  be  glad  to  have  her 
other  than  she  is — fairer,  finer,  sweeter — but  material- 


SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  367 

When  Men  are  Delighted— Woman  measured  by  Convenience. 

ism  suppresses  sentiment,  and  what  is  nearest  is 
best.  Their  love — or  what  thej  name  as  such — is 
measured  by  contiguity,  estimated  by  convenience. 
A  dowdy  within  arm's  reach,  is  preferable  to  a  divinity 
afar  off;  and  then  divinity  is  incompatible  with  ac- 
cess. Aldoiiza  Lorenza  was  a  sorry  queen;  but  she 
fitted  the  fantasy  of  the  crack-brained  knight,  and 
as  Dulcina  del  Toboso,  show  him  in  noble  ladyhood. 
Sane  and  sober  mortals  resemble  La  Mancha's  cham- 
pion, in  bestowing  generous  christenings  upon  vulgar 
idols.  They  are  not  blinded  as  he  was.  Knowing 
what  they  have,  they  are  not  dissatisfied  with  posses- 
sion; but  they  would  like  to  illude  others  with  a  feint 
of  their  fastidiousness.  So  man  relishes  to  be  seen  as 
he  sees  himself;  he  does  not  deem  his  fellows  much 
better,  though  he  is  unwilling  to  be  put  at  disadvan- 
tage by  judgments  he  is  unable  to  deny. 

The  simple  magnetism  of  sex  leads  so  many  of  us 
into  extravagances,  follies,  errors  irretrievable,  that 
we  wonder  at  our  fatuity,  and  finally  surrender  to  it 
as  to  fate. 

We  may  learn  wisdom  from  women  (they  are  too 
bounteous  donors  to  be  its  affluent  keepers),  but  not 
about  them.     Essentially  the  same,  they  always  ap- 


368  '    SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Man's  Imaginai-y  Being. 

pear  different — at  least  so  long  as  they  can  fire  tlie 
imagination,  or  bid  the  pulses  leap.  Novelty  entices 
as  beauty  or  suavity  does  not. 

The  ideal  woman  is  a  will-o'-the-wisp,  that  draws 
us  into  fens  of  awkwardness,  bogs  of  mortification, 
pits  of  danger ;  and  still  we  pursue  her,  convinced, 
despite  past  experience,  of  her  real  unreality.  While 
health  and  lustiness  endure,  we  are  boys  in  amorous 
conceit.  Surprised  that  our  comrade  can  be  so  silly, 
so  indiscreet,  we  beat  him  in  that  unenvious  field, 
and  felicitate  our  self-containment,  our  sovereign 
sagacity.  The  dream  of  her  we  have  never  seen,  but 
always  hope  to  see,  haunts  the  nights,  and  hugs  the 
day.  If  not  in  our  own,  she  must  be  in  a  foreign 
land.  We  may  traverse  continents  and  oceans  to  find 
her.  The  longer  she  remains  undiscovered,  tlie  surer 
we  feel  we  shall  discover  her.  Perishing  in  tlie  mad 
hunt,  we  regret  we  were  not  permitted  to  follow 
further  what  we  must  have  clutched  at  last.  Unat- 
tainable here,  perhaps  she  blooms  beyond  the  shadow 
of  the  grave — where  she  is  neither  sought  nor  needed. 
It  would  seem  to  swing  with  fate  that  the  ideal 
should  be  reached  only  when  we  no  longer  crave  it. 
All  this  appeal  to  the  imagination,  this  ceaseless  va- 


SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  369 

The  Changeableness  of  Magnetic  Women. 

nation,  this  newness  of  the  familiar,  comes  to  men 
through  sexual  magnetism,  not  of  the  individual  but 
of  womankind. 

It  is  not  with  wonder  generically  or  artificially,  but 
with  woman  naturally  magnetic,  that  the  subject  lies. 
True  feminine  magnets  are  as  mysterious  as  alluring. 

I^obby  gents  understand  them;  they  do  not  under- 
stand themselves.  Generalization  respecting  them  is 
difficult;  for  they  are  apt  to  be  eccentric  and  change- 
able, the  lines  of  their  conduct  running  horizontally, 
vertically,  or  diagonally,  as  their  humor  dictates. 
They  do  not  keep  nor  care  for  their  antecedents;  they 
do  not  follow  forms;  they  do  not  respect  authority. 
Knowledge  of  their  character  is  insufficient  to  explain 
them,  since  they  may  at  any  time  take  on  a  new 
character  that  contravenes  their  past. 

Strange  compounds  of  positive  and  negative,  they 
shape  and  are  shaped,  give  and  receive  color,  attack  and 
yield,  lead  and  follow.  Each  innately  magnetic  woman 
is,  in  many  points,  not  only  unlike  every  other  mag- 
netic woman,  but  unlike  herself. 

She   is  full  in  electricity,  she  produces  heat,  light, 

concussions,    often    chemical   or   spiritual  changes; 

abounds  in   phenomena   which  no  savant  of  human- 
24 


370  SECEET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Uer  Sensibility — Appearances  do  not  stir  her. 

itj  can  expound.  The  magnetic  woman,  tliongli  good- 
liearted,  is  often  far  from  good  in  the  conventional 
sense;  she  is  not  opposed  to,  she  is  merely  above  con- 
ventionality. Her  blood  is  too  warm,  her  sensibility 
too  quick,  to  be  restrained  by  abstract  proprieties. 

She  seldom  thinks  of  appearances  when  reali- 
ties stir  her.  What  she  believes  at  the  moment  is  her 
religion;  wliat  she  elects  to  do,  her  law.  She  is  es- 
teemed to  be  strange;  she  is  misunderstood  by  the  or- 
dinary; but  those  who  are  near  her  pronounce  her 
natural  and  clear  to  transparency.  The  impressions 
she  makes  are  strong  and  deep;  albeit  her  influence  is 
immediate.  She  does  not  grow;  slie  fi;isiies  upon  her 
acquaintances.  Before  they  have  been  in  her  society 
an  hour,  she  seems  to  be  one  of  their  oldest  and  dear- 
est friends.  She  may  not,  probabl}-  does  not,  feel  so 
toward  them;  for  she  atti'acts  unconscloush^,  even  in- 
voluntarily, by  the  decree  of  her  organization.  She 
has  admirers,  praisers,  worshipers  on  every  side.  They 
follow  in  her  train;  strew  her  path  with,  sincere  com- 
pliments; create  soft  breezes,  with  kisses  cast  from 
loving  hands.  She  may  be  handsome  or  not.  She  is 
of  the  few  women  whose  winning  power  depends  not 
on  face  nor  figure.    A  man  of  the  finest  tastc,_atkcd  if 


SECKET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 


The  Advantage  of  Magnetism  to  Charms  of  Pers  ;n  and  Manner. 

she  were  beautiful,  might  honestly  reply:  "Beauti- 
ful? Really,  I  never  thought  of  that."  And  this 
would  be  the  highest  commendation  he  could  offer 
her. 

Magnetism  renders  comeliness,  grace,  elegance, 
well-nigh  superfluous  by  subordinating  them  to  itself. 
A  woman  could  exchange  charms  of  person  and  man- 
ner, as  commonly  reckoned,  for  magnetism,  and  be  the 
gainer.  Having  that,  she  conld  afford  to  let  the 
others  go,  without  feeling  their  loss. 

The  woman  in  whom  this  magnetism  lurks  is  fore- 
ordained to  triumph  over  man.  Slie  has  it  in  her  con- 
trol to  avenge  on  him  her  sister's  copious  wrongs. 
Enchantress  as  she  is,  he  cannot  resist  her  spell  except 
by  inspiring  her  with  a  passion  fiercer  than  his  own. 
This  is  his  amulet,  capable  of  turning  what  might 
prove  bane  to  rarest  ben i son. 

Armida,  in  the  "Jerusalem  Delivered,"  enacted  the 
magnetic  part.  Employed  by  Satan  to  betray  the  crusa- 
ders who  had  journeyed  to  the  Holy  City,  she  engaged 
Rinaldo,  and  so  overcome  him  on  the  instant  by  her 
magnetism,  that  he  followed  her  to  a  distant  island, 
where,  in  her  wondrous  palace  and  delightful  gardens, 
he  forgot  his  oath   to  redeem   the   sacred  sepulchre 


373  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

When  Man  ceases  to  be  Human— An  Illustration  of  Disappointed  Love. 

from  the  Paynim  hosts.  He  would  not  have  been 
human  had  he  not  preferred  her  fairj  grottoes,  de- 
licious feasts,  and  fragrant  fondlings,  to  monotony  of 
camp,  unwholesome  exposure,  and  burthen  of  battle. 

When  glory  calls,  man  in  a  crowd  obeys  the  sum- 
mons with  prompt  willingness.  Left  to  himself,  when 
love  whispers,  he  allows  glory  to  bellow  into  hoarseness 
while  he  toys  with  the  gentle  maid. 

Rinaldo  would  have  spent  his  life  with  his  mistress 
had  not  Carlo  and  Ubardo  come  from  the  Christian 
army  with  a  talisman  so  potent  as  to  overthrow  Ar- 
mida's  witchery,  and  thus  secured  the  hero's  release. 
She  followed  him  to  the  field,  set  the  bravest  of  the 
infidel  warriors  upon  him,  and  when  they  failed,  at- 
tacked him  herself  with  all  the  fury  of  disappointed 
love  and  baffled  rage.  What  an  illustration  of  mag- 
netism is  this!  By  its  agency  Armida  drew  Rinaldo 
from  his  duty  and  his  vow;  absorbed  him  to  the  soul. 
The  outer  world  broke  in,  dispelling  his  hallucination, 
and  he  fled.  His  flame  had  caught  her  in  its  fiery 
fold.  She  pursued  him,  and  thinking  she  had  lost  her 
hold,  resolved  to  destroy  what  she  could  not  keep. 
Love  was  stronger  than  hate,  as  it  always  must  be, 
and  by  love  she  was  overcome.     She  was   conquered 


SECRET   SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  373 

In  the  Relation  of  the  Sexes,  IWoman  the  Secret  Ally  of  Man. 

to  conquer.  He  revealed  his  heart;  it  was  of  the  same 
luie  as  her  own.  She  surrendered  her  faith  forliis; 
or  rather  the  faith  of  love  made  other  faith  redundant. 
Thinking  each  other's  thought,  feeling  each  other's 
feeling,  they  were  united  bej'ond  canons  bj  a  spirit- 
ual sacrament.  She  was  a  woman.  Everyone  of  her 
sex,  loving  and  beloved,  is  as  much  a  sorceress  as  she. 
Rinaldo  was  preserved  by  inspiring  his  inspiration. 
He  was  magnetic  as  well  as  magnetized.  All  men 
are  not  Kinaldos — comparatively  few,  indeed. 

She  who  is  spontaneously  magnetic  is  hard  to  affect 
magnetically,  as  a  rule,  she  has  her  eratic  fortune  in 
command,  and  this  is  rare  and  lucky  to  a  degree. 
Thus  is  she  protected  from  inward  amorous  assaults, 
which  more  than  those  without,  place  her  in  the  power 
of  her  dearest  enemy.  If  the  relation  of  the  sexes  be 
a  siege,  it  is  unfair;  since  man,  in  attacking  woman, 
has  his  secret  ally — herself — within  the  gates,  to  whom 
he  looks  for  support,  and  on  whom  he  counts  at  every 
escalade.  Impartial  as  the  contest  may  be,  it  is  al- 
ways two  against  one. 

The  magnetic  woman  cares  less  for  conquests, 
numerically,  than  her  sisters  do,  because  she  is  ac- 
customed to  them  from  her  girlhood,   and   custom 


374     •  BECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Why  the  Magnetic  Woman  enters  Hymen's  Temple  Early. 

blunts  the  edge  of  appetite.  Certain  victories  she 
lons^s  for,  and  expects  to  gain  when  the  time  is  ri23e; 
but  these  are  of  no  common  order.  She  would  prefer 
being  liked  to  being  loved,  though  she  is  loved  rather 
than  liked  by  her  whole  circle  of  admirers.  The  men 
other  women  are  pining  for,  and  have  yielded  much, 
are  at  her  feet.  Where  these  are  adored,  they  are 
indifferent.  They  worship  at  an  altar  to  which  they 
can  only  stretch  forth  their  hands.  They  hunger  for 
the  thing  denied,  and  turn  from  the  open  feast.  The 
benders  before  this  magnetism  are  many  of  them 
married,  as  she  is  prone  to  be  herself,  and  unwisely, 
too,  from  her  yielding  ere  she  knew  her  power.  Had 
she  but  tarried,  how  much  better  choice  she  would 
have  made;  who  can  say?  There  are  so  many  grades 
of  unfitness  in  matrimony  that  to  believe  a  poor  ac- 
ceptance or  election  might  have  been  less  poor,  is  abso- 
lute credulity. 

The  magnetic  woman  generally  enters  Hymen's 
Temple  early,  so  pressing  are  her  invitations  thither. 
That  she  should  commit  a  marital  mistake  is  very 
natural;  mere  girls  are  liable  to,  from  want  of  knowl- 
edge of  themselves,  humanity,  and  the  world. 

Soon    she   finds  she    has    numerous    company   in 


SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETT.  375 

Unfavorable  Atmosphere  for  Wedlock. 

her  unsatisfied  rather  thaii  dissatisfied  condition. 
Husbands  talk  to  lier  of  absence  of  sj'-inpathj  at  home, 
of  uncongenialitj  of  disposition,  of  incompatibility  of 
temperament,  which  she  knows  are  the  preludes  to 
avowal  of  their  love.  If  she  be  discreet,  she  hears 
without  heeding;  is  courteous  without  suggestion  of 
compromise;  is  sympathetic  in  generalities.  Discreet 
or  otlierwise,  her  atmosphere  is  not  favorable  to  the 
elevation  of  wedlock,  which  parts  with  its  romance,  is 
robbed  of  its  ideals  before  she  arrives  at  the  best  age  of 
woman's  wedding — five-and-twenty.  She  is  not  bitter 
against  it;  she  is  lukewarm  iu  its  behalf;  she  com- 
mends it  as  she  would  her  maid's  new  gown — serenely 
and  formally.  It  assumes  practical  shape.  Accom- 
panied by  wealth  and  good  breeding,  it  is  very  tol- 
erable, may  be  comfortable,  if  the  wife  do  not  ask  too 
much,  and  the  husband  do  not  give  too  little.  Love 
she  prizes  more  than  she  would,  perhaps,  had  she 
drawn  it  in  her  connubial  lottery.  She  comes  to  con- 
sider love  as  something  apart  from  marriage;  the  ex- 
perience that  obliges  us  to  so  consider  it  is  unfortunate 
particularly  for  women — not  because  they  are  irrecon- 
cilable, but  because  they  seem  fated  to  early  dissolu- 
tion of  partnership.     Privately  she  is  unable  to  forgive 


376  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

The  Humiliation  of   a  Fascinated  Man. 

the  husband  (what  woman  is  not),  who  never  was,  or 
still  worse,  has  ceased  to  be  her  lover.  Too  polite  to 
worry  or  scold  her  liege,  or  indulge  in  reminiscences, 
she  has  other  lieges  whom  she  can  hold  accountable  for 
the  deficiencies  of  her  own.  Tliej  are  fond  of  her,  and 
she  is  nut  fond  of  them — a  position  likely  to  render  her 
sex  pitiless,  and  provoke  it  to  reprisal  from  the  common 
foe.  What  feminine  creature  could  resist  such  temp- 
tation, or  ought  to?  The  humiliation  of  a  fascinated 
man  before  a  feminine  magnet,  unenlisted  in  him 
save  through  vanity  and  pique,  is  so  pitiful  to  con- 
template, that  the  women  he  has  cajoled  and  trifled 
with  should  malignantly  enjoy  it.  He  is  abject  in  his 
deference,  frenzied  in  his  favor,  fanatical  in  his  attach- 
ment. For  her  to  walk  on  him  would  be  a  kindness. 
He  lies  at  her  feet,  and  begs  her  to  put  them  on  his 
neck.  Ceremoniously  courteous,  she  actually  insults 
and  degrades  him;  while  he,  poor  fool,  imagines  him- 
self honored.  She  tries  experiments,  to  see  if  he  has 
a  spark  of  manhood  left.  He  has  not.  Nothing  can 
goad  him  to  self-assertion,  to  remembrance  of  his  de- 
parted dignity.  Tears  flow  from  him — she  is  dry-eyed; 
he  cringes — she  is  majestically  erect;  he- worships  as 
an  inferior  creature — she  barely  condescends  to  recog- 
nize his  existence. 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  377 

His  loss  of  Manhood— The  Abject  Idolater. 

Is  this  the  god-like  man,  who  proclaims  it  woman's 
duty  to  obe}'  ?  When  he  exchanges  his  sex  for  hers, 
he  gets  all  the  littleness  and  weaknesses  without  her 
graces  and  virtues,  or  the  beautiful  setting  that  relieves 
and  softens  them  to  attractive  propriety. 

The  abject  idolater,  you  may  rely,  is  at  the  core  a 
hector  and  a  tyrant.  The  wife  who  loves  him  (no 
man  so  mean,  so  vile,  so  selfish,  but  some  woman  will 
idealize  and  love  him  for  what  he  should  be)  receives 
not  the  need  of  her  affection — scarcely  the  common 
forms  of  civility. 

.No  woman  can  be  so  magnetic  as  to  be  insured 
against  magnetism  by  man.  Every  woman  has  her 
master;  every  man  has  his  mistress — generally  a 
number.  She  may  not  meet  her  master,  nor  he  his 
mistress;  but  the  rule  is  otherwise.  When  he  comes 
to  her,  she  recognizes  him  by  instinct.  When  she 
comes  to  him,  she  is  compelled  to  identify  herself. 
The  magnetic  woman  is  as  susceptible  and  intense  to 
the  magnetic  man — he  must  be  stronger  and  more 
self-poised  than  she — as  a  girl,  first  caught  by  the 
fever,  and  glowing  with  the  fire  of  love.  Her  habit 
of  victory,  from  the  inconsistency  that  belongs  to  her, 
renders    her    submission,    once    defeated,    complete, 


378  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Every  Woman  has  her  Master— Every  Mpu  his  Mistress. 

and  absolute.  She  delights  to  be  conquered;  it  is 
so  much  more  grateful  and  restful  than  to  conquer, 
which  her  heart  then  tells  her  is  not  her  province. 
She  is  a  child  again;  she  lies  on  his  breast,  sits  at  his 
feet,  twists  Iiis  buttons,  is  absorbed  in  sentimental 
trifles,  purrs  over  him,  askes  him  ten  times  a  minute 
if  he  really  loves  her;  talks  baby  talk  to  him,  and  he 
to  her — the  silly,  superlative  tenderness  indulged  in 
by  Alexander  and  Eoxana,  CaBsar  and  Cleopatra.  No 
woman  could  be  more  magnificently  subjugated.  Her 
individuality  is  swallowed  up  in  his.  She  suffers  and 
enjoys  through  him.  She  belongs  to  him  more  than 
to  herself. 

A  flame  so  intense  is  likely  to  burn  out.  It  often 
does  for  him  who  has  enkindled  it,  though  it  may 
blaze  for  another.  The  magnetic  woman  is  not  usual- 
ly the  most  constant  of  her  sex.  Proof  against  all  or- 
dinary men,  who  are  disposed  to  think  her  cold  and 
heartless,  extraordinary  or  magnetic  men  are  danger- 
ous to  her.  Her  tendency,  when  exposed  to  the  influ- 
ence of  her  counterparts,  is  to  love  much  and  many. 
She  is  not  disloyal;  it  is  simply  her  nature  to  be  af- 
fectionally  expansive  to  the  members  of  his  kind. 
"What  draws  her  to  him  is   possessed  by  some  others; 


BECKET    SIXS   OF    SOCIETY.  379 

When  Woman  prefers  Principles  to  Persons. 

and,  like  the  poet  and  pliilosoplier,  she  seeks  unity 
in  multiformity.  If  he  always  stay  with  her,  she  will 
not  wander;  but  when  he  goes  another  comes,  closely 
resembling  him  in  many  respects — having  the  same 
power  of  attraction ;  she  gives  the  stranger  welcome, 
as  she  would  and  does  the  familiar  on  his  return. 
Albeit  not  conventional,  she  may  be  correct.  What, 
is  she  too  broad?  what,  does  she  more  than  prefer 
principles  to  persons?  She  is  faithful  to  love,  if  not 
strictly  faithful  to  lovers.  To  the  unstable  magnets 
no  harm  results.  They  may  have  some  scenes,  an 
act  or  two  of  high  tragedy,  but  the  substance  and 
termination  of  the  play  will  be  comedy.  His  vanity 
may  suffer,  but  enough  will  be  left  for  a  score  of  well 
regulated  mortals.  Her  eyes  may  be  inflamed,  but 
the  fountain  of  her  tears  will  still  be  full  to  the  brim, 
ready  to  overflow  at  the  pressure  of  the  first  fresh 
emotion.  Men  who  are  half,  or  artificially  magnetic, 
are  frequently  hurt  by  the  entirely  magnetic  woman. 
They  can  drive  her  to  a  certain  distance — never  close — 
but  they  cannot  hold  her.  Entertain  her  they  do,  though 
they  fail  to  interest  her  truly.  She  admits  they  are  very 
good,  but  what  daughter  of  earth  ever  loved  goodness 
alone?  They  are  ill-situated — tempted  by  fruit  they  can 


380  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Fools  and  Victims  of  Magnetic  Women. 

not  taste  ;  anxious  for  the  thing  that  ehides  their  grasp. 
Thev  are  not  wholly  under  hallucination,  like  tliose 
we  have  seen.  They  are  neither  blind  nor  dull  ; 
still  they  are  weak.  They  perceive  their  charmer's 
faults,  know  she  deceives  them,  are  confident  she 
misrepresents  them.  Nevertheless  they  cleave  to  her. 
All  history  throbs  with  magnetic  women  who  have 
made  men  fools,  tools,  and  victims  in  every  manner 
conceivable.  The  crop  of  magnetic  women  never 
fails  anywhere.  They  will  grow  without  warmth  or 
moisture  ;  they  are  native  and  necessary  to  creation. 
There  are  magnetic  women  who  are  not  imprndeiit, 
nor  variable,  nor  deceitful.  They  are  lovely  without 
vanity,  clever  without  assumption,  elegant  without 
affectedness,  amiable  without  frivolity,  gracious  with- 
out condescension.  They  are  not  the  delicious  mis- 
tresses so  many  of  us  hunger  for  ;  they  are  the  dar- 
ling wives  so  very  few  of  us  get.  They  largely  owe 
what  they  are  to  auspicious  circumstances,  which  is 
marriage  to  the  man  they  absorbingly  and  instinct- 
ively love,  and  who  loves  them  equally.  No  kinder 
fortune  can  come  to  woman.  It  insures  her  safety, 
loyalty  and  happiness  ;  it  minimizes  pain  and  sor- 
row ;  it  elevates  hope  to  the  zenith.     Doubt  and  dis- 


SECKET   SINS   OF   SOCIETT.  381 

The  True  Magnetic  Woman. 

may  are  ended.  The  fair  future  nestles  in  the  pres- 
ent, and  the  present,  through  faith  and  sympathy,  is 
infinite.  In  her  love,  not  for  man,  nor  a  man,  but 
for  the  man,  and  in  his  love  for  her,  the  abstract  god 
is  made  concrete,  and  through  her  lover's  presence 
heaven  shines. 


382  8ECEET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 


The  Deplorable  State  of  Society. 


PART.  XXXI. 

OUR  SOCIAL  RELATIONS. 

ANE  of  the  most  deplorable  sign?  of  the  times,  is 
"the  increasing  indisposition  of  the  young  men  of 
our  country,  especially  in  the  larger  cities,  to  marry. 

Society  must  demoralize,  both  sexes  must  deteriorate 
under  such  circumstances.  It  is  easy  to  point  out  the 
causes  of  this,  and  to  indicate  the  remedy,  but 
it  is  not  so  easy  to  apply  the  remedy.  It  is  nat- 
ural for  young  men  to  desire  a  companion  for  life,  as 
soon  as  they  arrive  at  maturity.  If  they  do  not  seek  a 
companion  it  is  because  of  some  powerful  counter-in- 
fluences. One  glance  at  the  condition  of  the  young 
women  of  America  tells  the  whole  story.  They  are 
generally  injirm  in  health.  They  are  extravagant  in 
.  dress.  And  these  evils  are  increasing  from  gener- 
ation to  generation. 
The  young  men  whose  salaries  are   small,  or  whose 


SECRET    SlifS   OF   SOCIETY.  383 

The  Power  of  Young  Women. 

occupations  are  uncertain,  prefer  to  endure  the  ills 
thej  have  ratlier  than  to  flj  to  others  thej  know  not 
of.  Y/ho  can  say  tliey  do  not  act  wisely?  It  is  not  in 
liuman  nature — tliough  it  may  be  in  human  passion* 
to  marry  a  woman  for  the  sake  of  nursing  an  invalid, 
hiring  Bridgets,  employing  doctors,  feeing  apotheca- 
ries, listening  to  constant  complainings,  and  dancing 
attendance  on  the  whims  and  caprices  almost  insep- 
arably connected  with  constitutional  infirmity  and 
morbid  feelings.  Young  women  have  it  in  their 
power  to  arrest  the  downward  tendency  of  this  vice. 
Let  them  first  of  all  get  a  health  education,  for  without 
health  no  woman  is  fit  to  be  a  wife  or  mother.  In 
the  second  place,  they  must  give  some  evidences  that 
they  can  be  useful  as  well  as  ornamental.  They  must 
dress  with  some  regard  to  use,  convenience,  econon^y 
and  good  taste,  and  not  appear  to  be  the  mere  slaves 
of  all  the  ridiculous  and  ever  changing  fashions  of  tlie 
ever-succeeding  seasons.  Probably  no  two  words 
in  our  language  can  express  a  greater  curse  to  the  hu- 
man race  than  those  of  fashionable  dress.  It  is  true 
that  young  men  dress  vainly  and  foolishly  to  some  ex- 
tent, and  that  they  are  very  generally   addicted  to  de- 

*As  lone:  as  men  marry   for  passion,  they  must  expect   to  "  nurse  inva- 
lids, hire  Bridgets,  pay  doctors,"  etc.,  as  a  necesaarj-  consequence. 


384:  SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

The  Legacy  of  a  Depraved  Organization. 

grading  and  ruinons  habits,  in  which  very  few  women 
indulge — for  example,  tobacco  using.  But  we  blame 
the  young  ladies  very  much  for  this  .filthy  and  de- 
testable habit  on  the  part  of  the  young  men.  "VVe 
are  of  the  opinion  that  a  man  who  uses  tobacco  is  not 
fit  to  be  a  husband  and  father.  He  has  no  right  to 
make  himself  indecent  and  disgusting  in  the  presence 
of  his  wife,  and  he  has  no  right  to  curse  his  offspring 
with  the  legacy  of  a  depraved  organization. 

But  if  woman  was  as  she  should  be,  she  would  have 
a  power  to  lead  man  in  the  way  he  should  go,  of 
which  she  now  little  dreams.  It  is,  to  a  great  extent, 
because  he  does  not  find  in  her  the  qualities  that  en- 
gage his  heart,  and  satisfy  his  judgment,  while  they 
please  his  eye  and  charm  his  fancy,  that  he  seeks  other 
associations  and  other  pleasures.  He  is  apt  to  take 
her  for  what  she  advertises  herself  to  be — a  tiling  of 
vanity  and  show;  and  to  seek  her  company  for  mere 
pastime  or  lust,  instead  of  refined  conversation,  el- 
evating sentiments  and  substantial  happiness.  "  We 
have  no  manner  of  doubt,  that  if  the  young  women  of 
our  country  would  raise  themselves  above  the  sphere 
of  fashionable  frivolity,  they  would  soon  draw  the 
young  men   after  them,   and  away  from  the  low,  de- 


SECRET   SINS   OF   SOCIETY.  385 

The  Diseased  State  of  Society. 

grading  vices  of  liquor-drinking  and  tobacco  using. 
There  would  be  then  few  'old  maids'  among  us;  but 
until  they  do  this,  there  ought  to  be  many." 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  truth  in  this  quotation,  but 
it  is  not  the  whole  truth,  and  therefore  it  leaves  a 
false  impression.  The  writer  thinks  "  it  verv  easv  to 
point  out  the  causes  of  these  evils,  and  to  indicate  the 
remedy,"  but  the  causes  he  has  pointed  out  are  only 
the  most  superficial  manifestations  of  the  disease  of 
society,  as  blotches  on  the  face  indicate  something 
much  deeper,  namely,  bad  blood  or  poison  in  the  sys- 
tem, and  his  remedies  are  quite  as  superficial  as  his 
causes — as  superficial  as  putting  ointment  on  the  skin 
to  cure  the  disease  of  the  blood.  Woman's  dress  and 
health  are  only  the  outside  of  the  deep-seated  diseases 
and  discords  of  the  social  system. 

The  causes  and  cures  for  these  evils  have  been  al- 
ready discussed  and  pointed  out  in  this  work.  It 
might  be  as  well  to  state  liere  that  men  have  "  consti- 
tutional infirmities  and  morbid  feelings,"  and  are 
sometimes  "out  of  humor,"  and  can  perhaps  make 
themselves  as  disagreeable  as  women.  We  believe  it 
is  a  well  established  fact  that  women  can  endure  more 
than  men  :  and  if  women  have  more  morbid  feelings 
25 


386  SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman's  Sensitiveness  to  External  Influence. 

and  their  nerves  more  troublesome,  it  must  be  because 
tlieir  conditions  are  more  abnormal.  Women  are 
necessarily  more  sensitive  to  external  disturbing  in- 
fluences than  men,  and  should  not  he  subjected  to 
harsh  or  unkind  treatment.  It  is  a  wonder  tliat  some 
women  have  any  nerves  left,  with  the  treatment  they 
get.  Women  have  always  been  ready  to  excuse  the 
follies  and  vices  of  men;  how  gratifying  it  would  be 
if  they  could  exercise  justice  enough  to  excuse  m'o- 
meus'  sensitive  nerves,  instead  of  finding  so  much 
fault  with  tiiem.  To  quiet  the  nerves  of  our  women 
and  make  them  healthy,  give  them  hapjiier  conditions 
and  better  treatment.  It  is  a  law  of  nature  that  de- 
mand and  supply  are  equal;  that  is,  if  the  demand  is 
strong  enough  it  will  bring  its  supply.  Woman's  de- 
mand from  man  is  from  the  external  plane.  She  de- 
mands of  him  maternal  and  material  supply — home, 
food  and  clothing.  She  demands  of  him  the  legiti- 
mate exercise  of  his  functions  and  faculties  in  external 
labor. 

Man's  legitimate  demand  from  woman  is  from  the 
central  planes  of  life  in  the  exercise  of  her  maternal 
function,  in  the  perpetuation  of  the  race,  in  the  care 
and  control  of  society  and  the  family,  and  a  restrain- 


srcnr.T  SINS  OF  society.  387 

Wliat  AVomen  Demand  from  Men— Man's  Fancy — Woman  Understands    it. 

ing  power  that  shall  keep  him  from  evil.  But  does 
he  demand  this  of  her?  !N'ay,  he  demands  obedience; 
she  must  move  like  a  comet  in  his  orbit,  whatever 
that  may  be.  He  demands  of  her,  not  children,  but 
the  gratification  of  lust  and  fancy;  he  demands  of  her, 
not  wisdom  and  judgment — that  shall  give  her  a  con- 
trolling power  over  him  and  her  children,  that  shall 
"lead  him  and  them  in  the  way  they  should  go" — but 
obedience  to  his  rule.  Why  do  the  most  intelligent, 
eligible  men  (not  young  men  merely,  but  quite  as 
often  the  older  ones)  so  often  marry  the  prettiest, 
silliest,  inost  yascinatififf,  fiisluoTiiible  girls  they  can 
find  ?  As  long  as  the  man  follows  his  fancy  instead 
of  his  judgment  when  he  marries,  the  young  lady 
must  "  make  herself  a  thing  of  show  "  to  meet  the  de- 
mand. 

Yonng  ladies  seem  to  understand  very  readily  that 
young  men  seek  their  society  for  "  pastime  and  lust," 
and  so,  in  their  dress  and  conversation,  they  seek  to 
meet  the  demand  as  far  as  their  nature  or  sense  of 
propriety  will  let  them.  The  truth  is,  the  young  men 
who  seek  the  society  of  young  ladies  for  "  mere  pas- 
time or  lust,"  have  very  little  heart  or  judgment  to 
satisfy j  and  if  they  seek  other  associations,  it  is  not 


388  SECRET    SINS   OF   SOCIETY. 

Associations  of  Lust  and  Fancies. 

for  "more  refined  conversation  or  elevating  senti- 
ments," but  because  thej  can  elsewhere  better  gratify 
their  fancies  and  lusts.  In  seeking  "other  associa- 
tions," they  do  not  go  where  they  can  better  "  elevate 
their  mind  and  character,"  but  where  they  can  better 
gratify  their  depraved  tastes,  whetlier  of  wine,  women 
or  tobacco.  They  do  not  seek  "  other  associations," 
because  young  ladies  are  not  sufficiently  "refined  and 
elevated  in  their  conversation,"  but  because  they  can- 
not let  themselves  down  quite  as  low  in  their  pres- 
ence as  they  can  elsewhere. 

If  woman  "advertises  herself  as  a  thing  of  vanity 
and  show,"  it  is  because  sucli  women  are  in  demand. 
When  the  demand  ceases,  the  advertisement  will  be 
taken  down;  it  would  not  pay  to  keep  it  up,  as  it  is 
quite  expensive.  It  is  bad  taste  for  men  to  prate 
about  the  extravagance  of  women,  when  their  loi^ds 
and  masters  set  them  such  bad  examples.  In  olden 
times,  matrons  and  maidens  were  very  prudent  and 
economical;  and  how  did  their  ^^  liege  lords  ^^  spend 
their  money  ?  A  large  majority  of  them  used  it  to 
cultivate  vicious  habits  and  propensities,  which  still 
cling  to  them,  and  which  threaten  to  ruin  the  race. 
Really,  it  is  a  great  mercy  to  some  men  that  women 


^  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  389 

Vices  of  Men  and  Dress  of  Women  Compared. 

liave  undertaken  to  help  them  spend  their  surplus 
funds.  The  fashionable  dress  and  extravagance  of 
women,  bad  as  they  are,  are  not  half  as  unhealthy  and 
demoralizing  as  the  vicious  habits  of  men. 

Fashion  and  contagious  diseases,  like  all  other 
things,  follow  the  laws  of  motion  in  nature;  all  must 
follow  one  path,  or  panic-like  the  sweep  of  the  planets, 
until  each  individual  becomes  strong  enough  in  action 
and  will-power  to  be  a  centerstance,  a  law  unto  itself, 
like  the  rotation  of  the  planets. 

Fashion  is  emphatically  a  masculine  law,  but,  being 
under  masculine  rule,  woman  must  follow  his  external 
law,  and  as  ever,  she  carries  the  masculine  law  to 
greater  extremes  than  the  man.  The  folly  of  dress 
and  fashion  is  only  the  external  masculine  side  of  wo- 
man ;  call  out  and  appreciate  the  womanly  depths  of 
her  nature,  and  this  outside  show  will  disappear.  The 
human  soul  ever  seeks  recognition  in  some  way. 

If  man  will  not  recognize  the  worth  and  power  of 
woman,  then  she  is  compelled  to  show  her  folly  and 
weakness.  Woman  gets  no  recognition  from  man; 
no  position  in  society,  only  as  it  is  reflected  from  his 
wealth  in  her  dress  and  display;  only  in  a  few  rare 
cases,  as  "  strong-minded  women,"  masculine  "  blue- 


390  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Woman's  Condition  in  Society. 

stockings."  As  woman  is  not  permitted  to  have  any 
independent  action  in  society,  she  is  compelled  to  fol- 
low the  masculine  law  of  external  display.  The  right 
use  of  all  our  functions  and  faculties  is  good;  uncon- 
trolled extremes  are  evils.  Man  has  led  woman  into 
evil  by  inducing  or  compelling  her  to  obey  the  ex- 
treme action  of  his  own  law,  instead  of  permitting 
her  to  control  it. 

The  sin  of  Adam  and  Eve  (the  blame  which  was 
cast  upon  her)  was  the  sin  of  excess  and  abuse.  It 
could  not  have  been  anything  else,  because  a  right  use 
of  all  our  powers  is  good,  not  evil.  Man's  sexual  or- 
gan, speaking  through  Adam,  was  the  serpent  that 
first  led  woman  into  sin,  by  obedience  to  tlie  extreme 
action  of  its  law. 

Man's  sensual  self-love  is  an  immature  expression 
that  will  be  changed  to  the  spiritual  love  of  woman, 
when,  through  freedom,  the  moral  purity  and  controll- 
ing power  of  her  nature  shall  be  developed. 

Woman  feels  her  share  of  responsibility  for  the  fiict 
of  human  existence,  because  she  gives  it  birth.  As 
woman  gives  birth  to  man,  she  somehow  feels  respon- 
sible for  his  follies  and  vices,  and  this  is  why  she  is  so 
ready-  to  bear  their  blame,  and  to  excuse  him.    We  be- 


SECRET   SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  391 

Man  and  Woman  Should  Understand  Sexual  Law. 

lieve  that  everj'  mother  has  a  motherly  feeling  for  all 
men,  especially  for  those  who  come  under Jier  immedi- 
ate  care  and  influence.  She  feels  that  it  is  her  duty  to 
have  patience  with  their  extremes  and  conduct,  and 
to  keep  them,  as  far  as  possible,  from  bad  habits  and 
evil  associations,  and  if  she  finds  that  she  cannot  do 
this,  she  almost  feels  that  she  has  no  sphere  of  usefii'- 
ness.  Properly  very  few  women  ever  define  their  feel- 
ings to  themselves,  but  doubtless  they  sometimes  man- 
ifest them  in  a  very  unpleasant  way  to  men  whose 
natures  are  so  extreme  that  they  run  their  law  of  lib- 
erty into  the  most  unlawful  license. 

"Woman  not  only  feels  a  yearning  solicitude  for 
man,  that  she  must  restrain  him  from  his  tendency  to 
extremes,  but  at  the  same  time  a  wondering  admira- 
tion at  the  daring  of  his  nature. 

It  is  highly  important,  and  high  time  that  men  and 
women  should  understand  the  sexual  laws  of  life  and 
labor,  and  their  relative  importance;  that  each  sex  may 
rightfully  appreciate  the  other,  and  that  each  may  do 
its  own  share  of  the  world's  work  faithfully  and  well. 
It  is  high  time  that  our  sons  should  be  disabused  of 
their  childish,  arrogant  notions  of  superiority  to  their 
mothers,  and  learn  to  treat  them  at  least  as  equals. 


392        •  SECRET   SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Labor  not  Demanded  of  Women. 

In  the  language  of  Emerson,  as  woman  is  not  "  born 
to  trade,  slie  cannot  learn  it  saccessfullj."  And,  be- 
cause woman  was  not  "  born  to  trade, "  because  she  is 
a  better  balanced  character  than  man,  and  was  Ijorii 
to  he  a  mother^  shall  she  therefore  be  left  without  a 
home,  out  of  her  sj^here^  unsexed  in  the  brothel  or 
workshop,  crushed  bj  masculine  supremacy  under  the 
car  of  labor,  as  a  miserable,  half-paid  hireling,  who  is 
not  permitted  to  fulfill  the  command  of  God,  the  right- 
eous law  of  her  own  matured  nature? 

Man  does  not  demand  labor  from  woman  ;  if  he 
did,  he  would  be  willing  to  pay  for  it-  Whatever  is 
in  highest  demand  brings  the  highest  price.  What 
can  woman  do,  what  does  she  do,  that  brings  a  good 
price,  ready  pay,  cash  down  ?  The  answer  to  this 
question  tells  the  whole  story  of  the  present  condition 
of  society.  Only  for  the  sale  of  her  hody,  for  the  jper- 
verted  use  of  her  sexual  law,  can  woman,  hy  hecoming 
unsexed,  oltain  a  high  price  in  funds  that  she  can 
control  and  call  her  own.  A  woman  in  Chicago 
made  forty  thousand  dollars  in  five  years  by  keeping  a 
house  of  ill-fame,  and  a  very  small  establishment  it  was 
too.  What  would  these  same  men  have  paid  her  for 
her  honest  labor  ?     And  then,   forsooth,  when    these 


SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY.  .      393 

Price  Paid  for  Woman's  Shame— Woman's  Alternative. 

miserable  unsexed  creatures  have  sold  to  men  all  that 
is  most  dear  to  a  true  woman — virtue,  honor,  charac- 
ter— and  received  from  them  the  price  of  their  own 
shame,  lo  and  behold  !  these  same  men,  in  the  shape 
of  city  authorities,  turn  very  coolly  about,  and  by  the 
strong  arm  of  their  civil  (?)  law,  wrest  it  from  them  to 
fill  the  city  treasury  and  pay  the  emoluments  of  their 
officers;  and  the  public  press,  the  guardians  of 
morality,  look  on  and  applaud.  Is  not  such  treat- 
ment enough  to  make  fiends  of  homeless  women? 
Need  we  wonder  that  they  revenge  themselves  by  se- 
ducing and  ruining  our  sons  and  daughters?  "When 
men  and  women  greatly  violate  and  abuse  the  mater- 
nal law,  they  lose  all  sense  of  shame  and  justice,  and 
every  other  moral  sense. 

When  man  shall  demand  of  woman  the  right  use 
of  her  maternal  functions,  by  giving  her  a  free  home 
in  which  to  control  it,  the  millennial  day  of  righteous- 
ness will  have  dawned  upon  humanity.  An  inde- 
pendent HOME  is  the  only  thing  that  can  save  woman 
from  being  sold  in  a  brothel,  or  in  the  shambles  of  an 
ill-assorted  marriage. 

As  men  are  becoming  disinclined  to  marry,  and 
woman  is  not  paid  for  her  honest  labor  in  a  way  that 
gives  her  the  least  prospect  of  earning  what  she  wants, 


394    /  SECRET  sms  of  society. 

When  Woman  is  Compelled  to  Unsox  Herself. 

a  home,  how  can  we  wonder  that  she  often  accepts 
the  only  place,  the  brothel,  where  men  are  willing  to 
provide  for  her? 

K  the  individual  man  is  not  able  to  marry  and  pro- 
vide"a  home  for  woman,  then  the  collective  man  must, 
if  he  would  save   the  race  from  debauchery  and  ruin. 

Many  a  young  man  who  would  be  glad  to  be  the 
husband  of  a  true  woman,  if  he  had  a  home  for  her, 
is  led  first  into  the  sin  of  licentiousness,  then  to  the 
wine  cup,  and  on  from  vice  to  crime  and  ruin,  because 
he  cannot  afibrd  to  marry.  Many  a  young  woman 
who  would  be  glad  to  be  the  wife  of  a  true  husband, 
is  compelled  to  unsex  herself,  first  by  taking  the  place 
of  man  in  masculine  avenues  of  labor,  trying  to  earn 
an  honest  living  and  maintain  a  respectable  position 
in  society.  She  struggles  for  awhile,  till  at  last, 
wearied  with  the  unequal  conflict,  hojneless  and 
friendless,  she  throws  herself  down  to  be  trampled 
upon  by  men  born  of  women,  like  herself.  Money 
makes  friends — the  penniless  have  few,  none  that  can 
help  them.  In  the  present  condition  of  society,  woman 
must  and  will  become  masculinized,  in  some  way,  imless 
man  provides  a  home  for  her;  and  woe  to  that  people 
whose  females  are  compelled  to  throw  off  their  woman- 
hood in  the  struggles  of  labor,  or  sell  it  in  brothels. 


SECRET    SIXS    OF    SOCIETY.  395 


Laws  and  Customs. 


PAET  XXXII. 

MODERN   MARRIAGE. 

TN"  some  instances  States  have  stimulated  marriage 
by  special  laws.  -  The  Athenians  made  an  enact- 
ment, which  prohibited  unmarried  men  from  holding 
places  of  trust  and  honor  in  the  public  service.  An- 
other law  is  said  to  have  been  made  by  the  same  peo- 
ple, in  the  interests  of  national  virility  and  the  public 
health,  forbidding  women  to  marry  before  complete 
development,  and  men  before  the  age  of  thirty-five; 
also  recommending  the  most  suitable  season  of  the 
year  for  the  ceremony,  which  was  usually  the  month 
of  January.  They  were  particular,  too,  not  to  con- 
tract marriage  within  certain  degrees  of  consanguin- 
ity. These  laws  and  customs  of  the  Athenians  show 
that,  were  they  living  to-day,  we  would  liave  but  lit- 
tle to  teach  them  on  this  subject. 

Many  people  of  to-day  believe  tliat  marriage,  in  ad. 


396  SECKET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY. 

Average  Life  of  the  Married  and  Unmarried. 

dition  to  tlie  benefits  conferred,  by  increased  popula- 
tioii  and  improved  morality,  is  conducive  to  Ion 
gevity.  An  English  phj'sician  of  some  reputation, 
avers  that  it  adds  five  and  a  half  years  to  average  life. 
Another  of  France,  Dr.  Bertillon,  has  furnished 
the  latest  data  on  the  subject,  gathered  from  Holland, 
Belgium  and  France,  in  a  paper  recently  read  before 
the  Academy  of  Sciences.  According  to  Bertillon, 
between  tlie  ages  of  20  and  25,  in  1,000  married  men, 
there  are  6  deaths:  in  1,000  bachelors  10  deaths;  in 
1,000  widowers,  22  deaths.  Between  30  and  35, 
deaths  in  the  same  number  are:  married  men,  7; 
bachelors,  11  and  widowers,  17|-.  Between  35  and  40' 
married  men,  7^;  bachelors,  13,  and  widowers,  17-|. 
Through  a  series  of  years  the  same  results  are  ob- 
tained. On  the  side  of  women — statistics  confined  to 
France — there  is  increased  mortality  among  the  mar- 
ried over  the  single,  until  the  age  of  30;  after  this, 
the  married  more  than  make  up  the  loss,  so  that  when 
tlie  whole  number  of  3^ears  is  counted,  the  gain  is 
found  to  be  in  favor  of  the  married  women.  Thus  in 
France,  under  25,  marriage  is  disadvantageous  to 
women;  and  in  Paris,  under  20.  From  15  to  20,  the 
deaths  in  1,000  unmarried  women  are  something  over 


SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY.  S97 

The  Advantages  of  Re-marrying. 

7^;  and  among  the  married  between  these  ages,  they 
are  11|^.  From  20  to  25,  deaths  of  single  women,  8^; 
wives,  nearly  10.  Here  a  favorable  turn  is  reached 
for  the  married,  as  30  is  approached,  and  they  show 
for  the  rest  of  their  lives  15  to  16  deaths  in  1,000  to 
26  to  27  of  the  unmarried.  Widows,  like  widowers, 
show  a  remarkable  increase  of  mortality.  Their  be- 
ing a  shining  mark  for  death  may  be  accounted  for 
by  the  bereavement  arising  from  the  loss  of  a  loved 
companion  and  the  sudden  change  in  habits  of  life. 
It  is,  therefore,  a  natural  presumption  that  re-marry- 
iiig,  as  soon  as  the  conventionalities  of  society  per- 
mit, is  the  best  remedy  against  this  general  tendency- 
According  to  these  statistics,  it  is  worthy  of  remark 
that  the  married  woman  recovers  quicker  from  the 
unfavorable  period  attending  the  early  years  of  the 
married  state  in  Paris,  than  in  the  country  at  large, 
owing  probably  to  tlie  superior  medical  treatment  of 
the  capital  over  that  of  the  provinces.  Altogether,  if 
Bertillon's  calculations  be  correct,  they  furnish  a  good 
argument  in  favor  of  marrlao-e. 

The  French  marriage  of  to-day  has  been  criticised  a 
good  deal  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  especially  in  its 
dowry  feature.     The  selection  of  the  husband  by  the 


398  SECRET    SINS   OF    SOCIETY. 

Social  Restraints. 

parents  of  the  wife  meets  with  objections  also,  but 
there  is  sometliing  to  be  said  in  favor  of  it.  French 
parents  generally,  having  the  welfare  of  their  daugh- 
ter at  heart,  which  is  onlj  natural,  do  not  think  of  im- 
posing on  her  a  husband  for  whom  she  has  not  a  pre- 
dilection. A  girl  of  eighteen  in  France,  having  a 
very  limited  experience  of  life,  is  apt  to  be  deceived  in 
her  estimate  of  men,  and  her  parents,  with  that  knowl- 
edge of  the  world  which  time  alone  can  give,  guide 
her  in  her  selection.  Besides,  there  are  other  consid- 
erations. The  family  ties  ire  strt)nger  than  with  us, 
and  the  daughter  can  no  more  entertain  the  thought 
of  entirely  separating  herself  from  father  and  mother, 
than  they  can  of  separating  themselves  from  her. 
The  husband  in  this  way,  becomes  as  much  a  member 
of  the  family  as  if  he  were  a  son.  This  causes  them 
to  exercise  prudence,  lest  he  who  proposes  to  enter 
the  family  may  disturb  its  harmony.  Surrounded  by 
such  restraints,  such  a  social  calamity  as  an  elopement 
with  the  coachman  is  rare.  One  of  the  most  objec- 
tionable features  in  the  French  marriage  is,  that  it  is 
luirried  on  too  early  in  the  life  of  the  woman.  French 
law  legalizes  the  contract  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  as 
soon   as   the    daughter    has    attained    this   age,  her 


SECRET    SINS    OF    SOCIETY.  399 

Peculiarities  of  the  French  System  of  Marriage. 

mother  never  rests  until  she  has  secured  a  husband, 
often  twice  and  even  thrice  the  age  of  the  wife. 
Thus  tlie  girl-wife  rather  accepts  than  chooses, 
and  there  is  no  spontaneity  in  the  action.  There 
is  an  idea  in  France  that  an  unmarried  woman 
of  twenty-five  is  an  old  maid,  and  from  this  princi- 
pall}'-  arises  the  haste  of  the  parents,  and  their  way  of 
treating  the  grirl  as  a  basket  of  esss  that  must  be  dis- 
posed  of  within  a  given  time,  lest  tliey  should  lose 
their  freshness  and  be  no  longer  marketable.  The 
mother's  zeal  also  gives  rise  to  suspicion  that  she 
wishes  to  relieve  herself  of  the  responsibility  of  guard- 
ing her  daughter,  which  is  not  flattering  to  the  latter's 
strength  of  character.  After  she  is  married  she  en- 
joys  a  freedom  that  few  American  women  would 
think  of  claiming.  The  sudden  transition  from  tute- 
lage to  liberty,  from  the  hot  house  to  the  open  air, 
cannot  be  healthful  to  married  life;  and  it  is  an  injus- 
tice to  the  young  wife  to  send  her  forth  without  those 
arms  necessary  to  a  woman's  protection — experience 
of  the  world  and  knowledge  of  human  nature.  The 
absence  of  these  naturally  exposes  her  to  perils.  Then 
the  tepid  love  so  often  found  in  the  household,  and 
arising  from  the  prevalent  dowry  system,  contributes 


400  SECRET    SINS    OF   SOCIETY. 

Favorable  Conditions  for  Marriage  in  the  United  States. 

thereto;  and  this  state  of  things  bears  natnral  fruit 
in  that  disobedience  of  marriage  vows  with  which  the 
French  woman  is  so  often  charged  by  English  and 
Americans.  Yet  it  is  but  fair  to  add  that  the  expan- 
sive, lively  nature  of  the  French  woman,  in  whom 
there  is  absolutely  no  cant,  often  provokes  suspicion 
in  the  Anglo-Saxon  mind  when  there  is  no  ground 
for  it. 

In  the  United  States  marriages  are  probably  more 
numerous  in  proportion  to  the  population  than  in  any 
other  country,  with  the  exception  of  Ireland,  which  is 
an  indication  of  fair  morality.  As  a  rule,  poor  people 
marry  in  all  countries,  regardless  of  the  considerations 
which  often  restrain  those  who  are  in  easy  circumstances. 
In  this  the  poor  man  comes  nearer  the  natural  one. 
Hungry,  he  eats;  thirsty,  he  drinks;  desiring  a  wife, 
he  marries  one,  and  the  joined  life,  under  favorable 
conditions,  is  simple,  regular  and  natural.  "When  the 
man  gets  more  light,  difficulties  rise  before  him,  and 
marriage  assumes  the  proportions  of  a  great  question. 
In  agricultural  districts  there  is  general  marrying  in 
all  classes,  for  there  is  more  simplicity  of  life,  which 
always  tends  to  numerous  marriages. 


